Adventures in Tech

From Google to Globetrotting: Hayes Raffle on the international trends reshaping business

Hayes Raffle is a technology innovator specialising in developing new computing devices. He is UX lead for new hardware on Google's AR/VR team Daydream.

An award-winning product designer and inventor. Hayes will take us on an adventure through fine arts at Yale, a Ph.D. and M.S in Media Arts and Sciences from the MIT Media Lab, 80 US patents either pending or granted, to senior roles at Google, and on to his recent travels around the world researching technology use.

In his keynote, Hayes will examine how bringing technology closer to our bodies can make it begin to disappear. He will discuss the philosophy behind wearable computing such as smart glasses and smart watches and how computing can become a more seamless part of our lives and social experiences. Hayes will also share insights gained from some of his projects from the past 15 years – tangible technologies for learning such as the Topobo construction kits, as well as his augmented and virtual reality efforts with Google Glass and Google Daydream.

Having recently spent a year travelling the world researching technology use, Hayes will explore some of the surprising findings; What is everyone doing with their phones? How does infrastructure affect peoples' lives in different places?

And importantly – why do all of these trends matter?

Hayes Raffle specialises in hybrid physical/digital objects to nurture learning, creative expression, and interpersonal communication. He previously served as a Senior Staff Interaction Designer on the Google Daydream team developing new input and interaction paradigms for virtual and augmented reality (VR & AR) and he helped develop Google Glass as a UX and innovation lead.

Hayes has published over 40 peer-reviewed academic publications in the areas of tangible media, technologies for learning, and virtual and augmented reality. Previously, Hayes conducted research in Family Communication at Nokia Research, developing new technologies for young children to connect with long-distance loved ones.

Hayes’ research integrates design, epistemology and human-computer interaction, with a focus on educational toys. At MIT, Hayes was a LEGO Fellow for six consecutive terms and researched new technologies for hands-on learning. Major projects include the Topobo robotic construction kit, Super Cilia Skin textural communication medium, Jabberstamp drawing tools, and Fuzzmail emotional email application. Hayes’s projects have received numerous international awards and recognition, and have shown in Europe, Asia and North America. His work has received outstanding press from major publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and BBC.