Can computers really adapt in helpful and seamless ways to support human activity? This collection of papers questions whether humans need to modify their behavior to fit computers, or if we can create a computer or set of computer services that adapts and supports humans. The papers in this book are concerned with computers in the human interaction loop (CHIL), an emerging field.

Between 2004 and 2007, 15 research laboratories were involved in various studies and demonstrations to monitor human activity and provide supporting technologies. While this was largely an academically led project, it produced a number of prototypes that have been tested in the field.

The book consists of five parts: “The CHIL Vision and Framework,” “Perceptual Technologies,” “Services,” “The CHIL Reference Architecture,” and “Beyond CHIL.”

Since the field of perceptual technologies is, according to the authors, currently underdeveloped, the book emphasizes how to monitor and measure human activity across a broad spectrum of activities, such as physical space, verbal and nonverbal communication, measurement of frustration, and eye contact. The book demonstrates how to collect this information, and includes many photographs of the equipment and laboratory setups. Although this information is helpful, it raises monetary, privacy, and reliability concerns. Nonetheless, the level of monitoring and reporting is impressive.

Part 1 provides an introduction to CHIL. Part 2, “Perceptual Technologies,” explains that, while there is still much progress to be made in this area, a number of interesting products have already been developed. The products’ development follows a user-centered design process, beginning with an analysis of the current social environment--for example, when computers help with meetings. This analysis is followed by a cycle of focus groups, prototype developments, and evaluations. This section presents several interesting products, such as a tabletop workspace, a connector service, and a technology that measures how groups of people interact, in order to identify dysfunctional behavior. Within the concept of CHIL, this section discusses how products can be aware of human activities that take place in a social context.

Part 3, “Services,” describes a number of developments to deliver real products as prototypes that can support humans in a seamless manner. For this to be successful, a very high level of computer awareness of individual and social activity is required.

Part 4, “The CHIL Reference Architecture,” explains the technical architecture and approach, and includes background information and Web links.

Part 5, “Beyond CHIL,” presents a disappointingly brief conclusion: although the work program has moved the field forward, significant work is still required to solve the remaining challenges.