Ken Nakagaki is an interaction designer and HCI (Human Computer Interaction) researcher from Japan. Currently, he is a Ph.D. Candidate of Tangible Media Group, MIT Media Lab. His research focuses on novel user interfaces that combine digital information or computational aids into daily physical tools and materials seamlessly. He is passionate about inventing novel tangible experiences with such interfaces through curiosity-driven tangible prototyping processes.

Prior to joining the Media Lab, he received Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Keio University SFC with a major in interaction design. In 2017, he was a Research Associate at Disney Research Pittsburgh. His works have been presented in top HCI conferences (ACM CHI, UIST, TEI), and demonstrated in international exhibitions and museums. He has received awards such as MIT Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35 Japan, the Japan Media Arts Festival, James Dyson Award, etc.

Keywords: Actuated Tangibles; Shape Changes; User Interfaces.

Talk Title: Actuated Tangibles Actuate People: Designing Tangible Experiences by Weaving Actuation into the Physical World
In my talk, I present my research in HCI focuses on Actuated Tangible User Interfaces (A-TUIs), an emerging type of user interfaces that physically transform and/or move. Such an interface enriches our interaction with digital information as well as physical environments through motion and transformation. Based on implementation techniques of robotics and interactive technologies, my research has investigated several general approaches to advance A-TUIs to weave into our everyday physical environments. These A-TUI approaches include (a) employing form factors of everyday material and tools, (b) designing perception of dynamic material property, and (c) developing passive and active A-TUI architecture. My talk will share these research approaches demonstrated by multiple research projects, and point towards future research and design opportunities for creating ‘actuated’ tangible experiences.

Open to CMU:
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