Here at AP, we’ve been having a fairly lively discussion around the UX of physical spaces. This conversation has touched on everything from museum experiences and urban informatics to simply engaging with people through senses beyond just sight and touch.

While the conversation wasn’t limited to technology, much of the dialog has involved ways of not only collecting data from an environment (and the people within it), but also ways of augmenting people’s understanding of themselves and world around them. Clearly, our memory, instincts and perception aren’t always the best tools for taking stock of reality. Sometimes a little data can help us see our lives in an entirely new light.

Speaking of sensing environments and collecting data: “London Transport plans to try an experiment never before attempted anywhere in the world, and if successful for regular use, will give the main office of a bus transportation company a ‘picture’ of the city’s moving buses.” Impressive, considering this was done in 1938!

All this talk of sensors, data and the tangible world is inspiring stuff. While some of us may feel the urge to dive right in and start hacking, the rest of us can happily benefit from the design tools that allow us to easily take part in the creation of the products we buy and use.

Okay, let’s go make something!