Kyungnam University Professor Park Heeun Publishes Book "POD Physical AI Communication Design"

Exploring Human-Technology Coexistence in the Era of Physical AI

Park Heeun, a professor in the Department of Webtoon and Design at Kyungnam University, has published a book titled "POD Physical AI Communication Design," which analyzes from a user experience (UX) perspective the trend of artificial intelligence (AI) expanding into "Physical AI" that possesses a physical form and the ability to act. The book was co-authored with Oh Seongsu, Head of the Consulting Division at Emotion Global.

Professor Park Heeun, cover of his book 'POD Physical AI Communication Design'.

This book structurally interprets changes in technology and human experience, focusing on the process by which AI moves beyond the realm of software and algorithms and transforms into an entity that interacts with humans in real spaces, such as humanoid robots and autonomous systems.

In particular, it examines issues of trust, sense of control, and sense of presence that arise when Physical AI enters human everyday life, approaching them from the perspectives of design and interaction.

Through this book, Professor Park takes as a starting point the question, "With what attitude should an AI with a body exist in the human world?" and presents the design conditions necessary for AI and humans to coexist, going beyond a simple discussion of technological advancement. The book emphasizes that, in the era of Physical AI, the core design tasks are not accurate computation or performance improvement, but rather determining when to approach and when to stop, how to reduce risk, and how to build trust.

The book is composed of six parts in total. It addresses step by step: why AI is expanding into an entity that intervenes in reality; the concept of intelligence formed through behavior and environment; interaction design beyond button- and screen-centered interfaces; design principles for Physical AI focused on form, behavioral scenarios, trust, and safety; the relationship between humans and Physical AI; and changes in the role of designers in the era of Physical AI.

Professor Park is an expert who has conducted research focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), user experience (UX), and human-robot interaction (HRI), analyzing from a human-centered perspective how digital interfaces and Physical AI systems affect human cognition, judgment, and behavior.

Currently, as a professor in the Department of Webtoon and Design at Kyungnam University, she is devoted to nurturing next-generation talent in AI utilization through convergence research and education that encompasses design, engineering, and artificial intelligence.

Professor Park said, "The essence of Physical AI lies not in technology, but in the way it exists together with humans," adding, "I hope this book will serve as an opportunity not to think about how to make AI smarter, but to reflect on what must be designed before intelligence now that AI has entered the real world."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.