LOCKHEED MARTIN FUNDS MOBILE, WEARABLE COMPUTER SYSTEMS...for aircraft maintenance and inspection. CMU researchers will receive $1.5M from Lockheed Martin Information Systems in Orlando as subcontractors in developing wearable computer systems to enable aircraft mechanics and technicians to quickly and easily access maintenance and repair information. This project will assist the Air Force in cutting down the cost/time associated with planes being serviced in depots and is part of a larger funding package with Armstrong Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. In addition to working with national depot maintenance facilities in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Utah, researchers will collaborate with personnel at the 911 Airlift Wing in Pittsburgh. As noted by Dick Martin and Jane Siegel, the project will bring "small, wearable computer technologies to the maintenance works and link them so remote expert helpers, planners and schedulers....can get the assistance, parts and technical information they need."

IN DEFENSE...Yan-bin Jia investigates "Geometric and Dynamic Sensing: Observation of Pose and Motion through Contact" at his robotics thesis defense on Friday, November 21 at 11:30 am in Wean 4623. His committee includes: Michael Erdmann (Chair), Matthew Mason, Katsushi Ikeuchi, and Bruce Donald (Dartmouth).

ROBOTS AND CYBORGS IN YOUR FUTURE?...Martin Martin, Michael Parris and Peter Coppin, of the Centre for Metahuman Exploration, explore "Using Household Appliances to Control Humans, Robots, and Cyborgs" at the HCI Seminar on Wednesday, November 19 at 3:30 pm in Wean 5409. As a multidisciplinary research collective, the Centre combines "communication technology, robotics, art, and mass media to manufacture avenues of expression between people" and examines issues embracing "the shaping of the human through the machine and the shaping of the machine through the human." Projects, including the Telephone/Television Hubrid Interface, The Inverse Human, RoverTV and more will be presented.

SCS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SEMINAR...Wondering "What Does an Employment Contract Mean, or, Why Can't I Just Leave My Job?" G. Ashley Woolridge and John E. Graf, attorneys at the firm of Tucker & Arensberg, will explore the topic with SCS undergrads on Thursday, November 20 at 4:30 in Wean 5409. Discussion is welcome. Pizza (until consumed) will be served. See SCS Career Center off www.cs.cmu.edu for particulars.

HUMAN RESOURCES NEEDS TO KNOW...Your Benefits Package forms must be submitted to Human Resources (at Whitfield Hall on Craig Street) Office by 5:00 pm on Friday, November 21. If you anticipate a problem or are unable to submit your forms by this deadline, please contact Human Resources directly at x8/2049.

ALUMNI IN THE NEWS...Murray Campbell and Feng Hsu are noted in the December 97 issue of Vanity Fair, along with the rest of the Deep Blue team -- being among the magazine's 35 most interesting people/events of 1997. The photograph says it all.

SHOWBIZ UPDATE...Lisa Kicielinski is appearing in the musical, Brigadoon, at Stage 62 in Carnegie. The group performs in the Carnegie Free Library Music Hall. The show runs on Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 pm and Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm through November 22. Lots of fun (and talent)!

IN THE NEWS..."CMU Researchers 'See' Into the Future": A "head-worn computer gives technicians view of more than hardware" is featured in the November 19 Tribute-Review, and includes a photograph of the prototype (modeled by our own Costa Nikou) of the Tactical Information Assistant, a head-mounted display to aid airplace technicians (see Lockheed above).

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