E-Tech Talks (2): Good Contacts with Humans

RFIDesk: An Interactive Surface for Multi-Touch and Rich-ID Stackable Tangible Interactions

Emerging Technologies Talk: RFIDesk is an interactive surface that enables both multi-touch and rich-ID stackable tangible interactions. It uses ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio-frequency identification (RFID) for recognizing the rich-ID stacking of tangible blocks and integrates indium tin oxide (ITO) for capacitive multi-touch detection while preserving the interface transparency.

Speaker(s): Meng-Ju Hsieh, National Taiwan University, Taiwan

Meng-Ju Hsieh is a Ph.D. Candidate at the National Taiwan University. He received his master in the Department of Computer Science from National Tsing Hua University. His major research interests are Human-Computer Interaction, with a specific focus on tangible interaction and wireless sensing.

Hap-Link : Wearable Haptic Device on the Forearm that Presents Haptics Sensations Corresponding to the Fingers

Emerging Technologies Talk: We developed a device presents the haptic sensation of the fingertip to the forearm rather than to the fingertip for objects in virtual reality environment. The device adopts a five-bar linkage mechanism and Peltier elements, presents the strength, direction of a force, vibration and the thermal sensation to the forearm.

Speaker(s): Taha Moriyama, The University of Electro-Communications, Japan

2nd Master course student. Taha. K. Moriyama, Kajimoto-Laboratory, Department of Informatics, The University of Electro-Communications. Born in Egypt and studied most of life in Germany.

Relaxushion: Controlling the Rhythm of Breathing for Relaxation by Overwriting Somatic Sensation

Emerging Technologies Talk: "Relaxushion" is cushion shaped device which enables us to control breath unconsciously by overwriting somatic sensation of our breathing. By embracing this device, we get a cushion’s motion confused with our breathing motion. This illusion strongly modifies our breathing rhythms and helps us to become relaxed state.

Speaker(s): Yuki Ban, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Hiroyuki Karasawa, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Rui Fukui, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Shin'ichi Warisawa, The University of Tokyo, Japan

Yuki Ban received the M.S. degree and the Ph.D. degree in Information Science and Technology from the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, in 2013 and 2016, respectively. He was a researcher at Xcoo inc. research from 2016 to 2017. He is currently a Project Assistant Professor of Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tokyo. His current research interests focus on modifying spatial perception using the visuo-haptic interaction.

TBU

TBU

TBU

TactGAN: Vibrotactile Designing Driven by GAN-based Automatic Generation

Emerging Technologies Talk: TactGAN helps us to design vibrotactile feedbacks rapidly. With this system, we can generate vibrotactile stimuli from images and user-defined attribute values such as material kinds or tactile words. We can design vibrotactile feedback on the touchscreen while touching and comparing the generated stimuli.

Speaker(s): Yuki Ban, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Yusuke Ujitoko, Hitachi, Ltd., Japan

Yuki Ban received the M.S. degree and the Ph.D. degree in Information Science and Technology from the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, in 2013 and 2016, respectively. He was a researcher at Xcoo inc. research from 2016 to 2017. He is currently a Project Assistant Professor of Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tokyo. His current research interests focus on modifying spatial perception using the visuo-haptic interaction.

Yusuke Ujitoko is a researcher at Hitachi, Ltd., Japan. He received a B.E. degree in mechanical engineering and M.A.E. degree in inter-disciplinary information studies from the University of Tokyo, Japan, in 2014 and 2016. His research interests include applied haptic perception and haptic interfaces.

Magnetact: Magnetic-sheet-based Haptic Interfaces for Touch Devices

Emerging Technologies Talk: We propose a very simple rapid prototyping method of haptic interfaces for touch devices. The sheet-like interface for a capacitive touch screen is composed of magnetic rubber sheets and conductive materials. Moreover, using a magnetizing toolkit, the haptic feedback can be changed within seconds.

Speaker(s): Kentaro Yasu, NTT, Communication Science Lab., Japan

Dr. Kentaro Yasu is a creative researcher at NTT Communication Science Laboratories. Ph.D. (Media Design). He received a Bachelor of Engineering in 2008, a Master of Media Design in 2010, and Ph.D. in 2013 at Keio University. He has started research activities at NTT Corporation since April 2016. He is developing creative tools and interactive techniques using familiar materials and equipment, such as automatic origami using microwave ovens and haptic systems using permanent magnets. His research project appeared in CHI, SIGGRAPH studio, and his installation appeared at Ars Electronica.