Satoshi Hashizume

Stimulated percussions: method to control human for learning music by using electrical muscle stimulation

In musical performances, it is important to produce rhythms correctly. However, when beginners play musical instruments, it can be difficult for them to understand rhythms using only visual and auditory rhythm information. To solve this problem, we propose the Stimulated Percussions (SP) system, which generates rhythms on a computer and transfers them to a users muscles. In this study, we control the users arms and legs using electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). We attach electrodes near certain arm and leg muscles, and provide stimulation in a manner that allows users to reproduce the correct movement when they play instruments. Our system enables a single player or multiple players to correctly reproduce generated rhythms. Experimental results show that our system is useful for beginners learning musical instruments, because it allows accurate rhythms to be mastered through bodily sensations.

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.

Stimulated percussions: techniques for controlling human as percussive musical instrument by using electrical muscle stimulation

We propose Stimulated Percussions, a new method designed to beat out rhythm by controlling human bodies with percussions using electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). Numerous studies in the fields of both science and art have been carried out to expand the possibilities for untrained people to be able to play musical instruments. Especially, in some studies, EMS capable of controlling the human body is applied to play a particular musical instrument. However, these studies have focused on movements of the human body for playing one specific instrument that requires movement of the whole body. Therefore, in this study, we used EMS to evaluate the body movements associated with different muscles. Moreover, we set up individual rhythms to these body movements and discussed the instrument that could be played by using these rhythms. We believe this design method would be able to expand the possibility for support to play a musical instrument.

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.

Sonovortex: rendering multi-resolution aerial haptics by aerodynamic vortex and focused ultrasound

Aerial haptic feedback is a popular topic in research fields on real-world-oriented interaction, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). Various methods such as magnetic force, ultrasound, and air vortices have been proposed for this purpose.

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.