Artist/Architect: Ted Krueger
Project Title: MAXM

Description:
The MAXM - Media-Augmented eXercise Machine - is a proposition about the way that digital media can be combined with embodied interfaces to enhance the quality of life for astronauts. Several factors combine to make this a viable proposition. In microgravity, the body rapidly adapts to its new condition by demineralizing bones that are no longer stressed by the pull of the earth and by reducing the mass of underutilized muscles. Astronauts must spend several hours a day exercising to slow this adaptation so that they are in shape to return to earth's gravity. The high cost of orbiting missions insures that schedules are filled with scheduled activities. All this takes place in confined and isolated conditions of the space station.
 
Most computer interfaces are visual and two dimensional, relying on hands and eyes alone. Communicating with the computer through exercise not only involves more of the person but induces the body to produce much of the experience of the virtual environment itself. The sweat, short breath and aching muscles allow one to fully experience a run on a virtual Pikes Peak that high resolution graphics alone can never match. The experience of these alternative virtual environments may provide a much needed change of pace in the confined environment of the space station.
 
Making the exercise equipment an interface to digital environments offers the crew alternative spaces to experience while on orbit; one could run through the Amazon, or cycle through your hometown, alone or with another member of the crew. While this could be entertaining there may also be value using this medium for crew training or psychological testing. The MAXM project grew out of the realization that almost all the components for the system already existed aboard the space station, their configuration into a system isn't technically difficult and there could be substantial benefits for the crew.
 
Ted Krueger will present a paper on 'Media-Augmented Exercise Machines' at the World Space Congress in Houston on October 16th. The Congress meets once a decade to bring together scientists and researchers from around the world to exchange ideas and research findings. Krueger will be on an international panel titled The Architecture of Space: A Multi-Disciplined Approach and participate in a discussion on the role of the Arts in the exploration of space. The Media-Augmented Exercise Machine is an example of the kinds of projects that will be undertaken in the Laboratory for Human-Environment Interaction that Prof. Krueger is developing on the first Floor of the Green Building. Exercise in microgravity was also the subject of a Design Studio offered in the Fall of 2001.