HKUST’s new social media lab aims to make social media "pervasive and effortless"

Officially launching on 15 February, the Nie Social Media Lab is the brainchild of visiting professor at the department of electronic and computer engineering Dr James She who has managed to raise over US$390,000 through sponsorships to set up the lab. The lab is named for major donor Bill Nie, CEO of TS First Fortune Asset Management. Other sponsors include CNN and Sony.

“The lab is similar to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology media lab and the aim is to go beyond mathematical analysis and develop real devices, real systems that make it possible to interact with social networks through just about anything and to make device interaction as effortless and natural as possible,” said She.

How effortless? “I test it out on my parents. If they can’t use it, then it’s not usable enough,” laughs She.

Some of the ideas She has already developed includes portable, stick-on touchscreens, "smart" clothing and interactive projections.  The lab already has several companies prepared to commercialise the technology it develops.

“We’ve moved beyond interacting with the internet through specific devices (like PCs) and are now at the ‘internet of things’. Where every item, from a light switch to a fridge, can in its own way be a way of connecting online,” said She.

Beyond training students, She is also keen to work with the media and advertising industries to develop new ideas and technological breakthroughs. “Corporations may not always have the time or resources to indulge in out-of-the-box research. Academic and industry partnerships could foster discoveries that have a significant impact in the world.”