Technology, sensors and AI in design

Imagine this scenario: Building designers are trying to figure out why pedestrian traffic at one spot in an airport terminal past the security checkpoints is consistently snarled.

A decade or two ago, the designers might sit in the terminal, counting passengers with a clicker, and trying to get a select sample to answer a few questions about why they were hung up in that spot.

Now, they’re able to rely on artificial intelligence-assisted data collection from video cameras, sensors picking up on light levels, noise, and temperature, and even data from wearable devices like Apple Watch to indicate where passengers might be feeling stressed. Using sophisticated data analysis techniques, they can figure out more about how and why people use — or can’t properly use — different parts of a building than ever before. And, they claim, they can do it without raising the specter of “Big Brother” and automated surveillance.

The future of technology, sensors and biometric data in the world of design is the topic of this week’s “Future Charlotte” podcast. Our guest is Ben Goebel, an architect and principal at Gresham Smith in Charlotte. Listen below:

In addition to Apple Podcasts, you can also find “Future Charlotte” on Spotify and Google Podcasts.