Kazuki Takazawa

Optical Marionette: Graphical Manipulation of Human's Walking Direction

We present a novel manipulation method that subconsciously changes the walking direction of users via visual processing on a head mounted display (HMD). Unlike existing navigation systems that require users to recognize information and then follow directions as two separate, conscious processes, the proposed method guides users without them needing to pay attention to the information provided by the navigation system and also allows them to be graphically manipulated by controllers. In the proposed system, users perceive the real world by means of stereo images provided by a stereo camera and the HMD. Specifically, while walking, the navigation system provides users with real-time feedback by processing the images they have just perceived and giving them visual stimuli. This study examined two image-processing methods for manipulation of humans walking direction: moving stripe pattern and changing focal region. Experimental results indicate that the changing focal region method most effectively leads walkers as it changes their walking path by approximately 200 mm/m on average.

Cross-field haptics: push-pull haptics combined with magnetic and electrostatic fields

The representation of texture is a major concern during fabrication and manufacturing in many industries. Thus, the approach for fabricating everyday objects and the digital expression of their textures before fabrication process has become a popular research area. Although it is easy to change the texture of objects in the digital world (i.e. just setting texture parameters), it is difficult to achieve this in the real world.

Light field blender: designing optics and rendering methods for see-through and aerial near-eye display

In this study, we propose a novel head-mounted display (HMD) design for near-eye light field display which achieves a see-through and wide field of view for augmented reality. In the past years, many optical elements such as half-mirror, beamsplitter, and waveguide were employed for an optical see-through display. We use a transmissive mirror device (TMD) instead of conventional optical elements. A TMD consists of numerous micro-mirrors and is usually used for real imaging system in the mid-air. We introduce a new method for the TMD plate in order to extend the previous near-eye display to the see-through display. We achieve a wide field of view and comfortable viewing by creating a point light source with a micro-lens array. Our configuration is very simple and consists of a LCD for the image source, a micro-lens array to provide the light field, and a TMD plate to provide the aerial image in front of the eye. We construct a prototype see-through display including a fabricated HMD. We verify the design of our prototype using simulations and experiments, and further discuss the challenges in building a novel near-eye, see-through display.

Telewheelchair: the Remote Controllable Electric Wheelchair System combined Human and Machine Intelligence

Wheelchairs are essential means of transport for the elderly people and the physically challenged. However, wheelchairs need to be accompanied by caregivers. As society ages and the number of care recipients increases, the burden on caregivers is expected to increase. In order to reduce the burden on caregivers, we present Telewheelchair, an electric wheelchair equipped with a remote control function and computational operation assistance function. The caregiver can remotely control the Telewheelchair by means of a head mounted display (HMD). In addition, the proposed system is equipped with a human detection system to stop the wheelchair automatically and avoid collisions. We conducted a user study on the wheelchair in four types of systems and investigated the time taken to achieve tasks. Telewheelchair will enhance geriatric mobility and improve society by combining human intelligence and machine intelligence.

Telewheelchair: The intelligent electric wheelchair system towards human-machine combined environmental supports

In this paper, we propose a telepresence system that is able to provide care from a remote location by implementing functions such as object recognition on a wheelchair (Figure 1 Left). In conventional remote control robots, the operator controls the system while receiving feedback from cameras mounted on the robot [Gundersen et al. 1996]. However, this operating method cannot capture the full environment around the system, even if we use wide FOV cameras, such as omnidirectional cameras. This leaves the operator with incomplete feedback. In order to utilize the telepresence system safely, it is necessary to solve the problem of the blind spot of the user. Further, human operators are limited by their attention span. The reaction time of the computer is greater than that of humans.

Morpho sculptures: digital fabrication methods of engraving flat materials into shape changing user interfaces

In recent years, many materials mass-produced in industrialized societies are flat, thin, and with many squares. Within such a social context, customized machines like conventional shape-changing interfaces will take much time and labor to become popular. We aimed to overcome the weaknesses of such conventional shape-changing interfaces and make them easy to manufacture and apply even for PC users. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to revise the manufacturing method. If it is possible to prepare a flat plate which is inexpensive, available and easily processed, it becomes possible to disseminate the shape changing interface at low cost. In recent times, processing machines such as laser cutters have become more widely available so it is becoming increasingly possible to reduce the cost of estuaries. Therefore, we redesigned the manufacturing method for shape changing interfaces using flat plate which, with our method, can be produced at lower cost and with less labor. Many objects in the world are made by processing flat plates, so the processing of flat plates is an important factor. By using the manufacturing method of shape changing interfaces proposed by us, it becomes possible to embed them naturally in interiors such as furniture made from flat plate.

LeviFab: stabilization and manipulation of digitally fabricated objects for superconductive levitation

Aerial manipulation of material objects is fascinating and is used in many performance situations. Many scientific demonstrations and magic shows employ these levitations. Acoustic, magnetic, electric, and superconductive levitation are used in many situations. Adding controllability and increasing the design space of these levitation methods are often studied for use in entertainment applications in graphics and HCI communities. In this study, we focus on superconductive levitation (Figure 1) because it has not been well explored for entertainment applications.

Graphical manipulation of human's walking direction with visual illusion

Conventional research on pedestrian navigation systems has explored the possibilities of presenting information to users both visually and aurally. Existing navigation systems require users to recognize information, and then to follow directions as separate, conscious processes, which inevitably require attention to the system. This study proposes a novel method that enables pedestrians to be guided without conscious interaction with a navigational system.

Trans-scale Playground: An Immersive Visual Telexistence System for Human Adaptation

In this paper, we present a novel telexistence system and design methods for telexistence studies to explore spatialscale deconstruction. There have been studies on the experience of dwarf-sized or giant-sized telepresence have been conducted over a period of many years. In this study, we discuss the scale of movements, image transformation, technical components of telepresence robots, and user experiences of telexistence-based spatial transformations. We implemented two types of telepresence robots with an omnidirectional stereo camera setup for a spatial trans-scale experience, wheeled robots, and quadcopters. These telepresence robots provide users with a trans-scale experience for a distance ranging from 15 cm to 30 m. We conducted user studies for different camera positions on robots and for different image transformation method.

Redesign of Cartesian Diver for Underwater Expression Combining Dynamic Fabrication with Non-contact Manipulation

In this study, we aim to combine dynamic fabrication with non-contact manipulation system applying the mechanism of Cartesian Diver. To achieve this, we propose the design method for underwater objects and non-contact manipulation technique using water pressure with PID control. We successfully designed and manipulate the object by our method. We discussed the principles and methods to create a digitally designed and fabricated the diver and to stabilize it in the middle of water.