Déco Project

The “Déformation physique et collaboration” Déco project—French for Physical deformation and collaboration—is a collaborative grant project funded by ANR as part of PEPR eNSEMBLE. DÉCO focuses on studying the dynamic deformation of devices for digital collaboration, with the goal of improving collaboration between humans and the system, as well as among humans through the system. The aviation context serves as the main field of study, with particular emphasis on three collaboration scenarios: shared air/ground piloting, remote control tower and drone teleoperation. Deformation of devices provides opportunities for adaptation to user capabilities, collaboration contexts, and collaborative tasks. DÉCO examines how device deformation can improve operator collaboration, situational awareness, and shared control.

DÉCO involves collaboration between researchers in Human-Computer Interaction, Robotics, Mechatronics, Cognitive Sciences, and Ergonomics, with aeronautics professionals to develop scenarios and evaluate the proposed interactions.

The project aims to produce prototypes of deformable interfaces for collaboration, conduct empirical studies and challenge existing theories on digital collaboration and reconfigurable interfaces. DECO’s results have the potential to extend beyond aviation, influencing critical areas such as automotive and medicine, as well as less crucial areas like office computing.