Laboratory for New Media 5th Exhibition “Sensory Circuit Collection”

The Permanent Exhibition “Laboratory for New Media” is a space which introduces the possibility of expression using cutting-edge information technology presented through periodically upgraded exhibits. At this event, its 5th occasion, we will exhibit the works of Hideyuki Ando and Junji Watanabe both of whom engage in the research of new interface technology which uses the remarkable mechanism of the human sensory system. The strength of the mysterious senses which viewers can feel from the exhibited works might become something that will predict a new way of connection with information technology.

Circuit of “Saccade-based Display”(2007)

You can see a dazzling picture when you move your eyes!
The eyes are moved several times a second in the direction that you want to see. The movement takes only about 0.05 second. This circuit flashes a line of light sources during the eye movement. By doing so, a series of line images is expanded to a plane on the viewer's retina, and a two-dimensional picture can be seen. Move your eyeballs in front of the light. Can you see anything?
Cooperated by Tetsutoshi Tabata, Taro Maeda
Technical Support: NTT Communication Science Laboratories

Circuit of “Moving Ultrasonic Speaker”(2009)

Sounds can be heard out of nowhere!
People are able to hear the vibrations of air as sounds. This circuit can generate a virtual sound source anywhere. Shut your eyes, prick up your ears and try to see if you can tell from where the sound is coming!
Cooperated by Tetsutoshi Tabata, Maria Adriana Verdaasdonk

Circuit of “Touch the Invisibles”(2008)

It ought to be smooth, but it feels bumpy!
People move their fingers over objects. The changes on the finger pad are perceived as the surface texture of the objects. This circuit imparts vibrations to the nail of the finger during finger movements. Surprisingly, the vibration can be perceived as the stimulus from the finger pad, instead of the stimulus from the nail. Put the device on your finger and try to experience the bumpy sensations !
Cooperated by Eisuke Kusachi, NOSIGNER

Circuit of “Save YourSelf !!!”(2006)

Is the world shaking or am I?
People adjust their posture and movements using the signals from their vestibular sensations. Thanks to these sensations, they are able to maintain balance and stand straight even with their eyes closed. This circuit shakes up your sense of balance by applying a very weak current to the vestibular apparatus. When the electric current is applied, you will feel as if you are wobbling even though you are not actually moving !
Cooperated by Tomofumi Yoshida, Taro Maeda

Circuit of “Tricky Shadow”(2009)

Being pulled by my own shadow!
People can recognize their posture and shape by mirrors or shadows. Visual and proprioceptive information of your own body normally coincide, but this circuit makes these relationships slightly out of synch. This in turn leads to a sensation of heaviness or being pulled.
Cooperated by Hiroyuki Iizuka, Taro Maeda


 

Cooperation in supervising the exhibition: Taro Maeda
Cooperation in planning the exhibition: Tomofumi Yoshida, 66b/cell
Special Thanks to Takahiro Suzuki, Akinori Tsuda, Ena Nagae, Tomoko Nozaki, and members of Taro Maeda Laboratory in Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University. Hiroyuki Uranishi, Naomi Kuga, Takahisa Sasaki


Term October 7 (Wed.), 2009 – February 8 (Mon.), 2010
Exhibitors Hideyuki ANDO // Junji WATANABE

  • Hideyuki Ando

    Associate Professor, Osaka University
    Researcher on nonverbal interface
    Hideyuki Ando was born in 1974, and he graduated School of Engineering of master's degree in Aichi Institute of Technology  in 1999. In 2000 he worked as a junior research associate at Bio Mimetic Control research center in RIKEN. In 2001 he worked as a researcher at the University of Tokyo, and in 2004, he received a Ph.D. of Information Science and Technology from the University of Tokyo. From 2002 he was a research associate, and from 2007 a research specialist, at NTT Communication Science Laboratories. He is currently an associate professor at the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University.  He devotes his research to the study of sensory and motor, new media experience interfaces, and virtual reality.
    Hideyuki ANDO Web Page(Japanese Only)

  • Junji Watanabe

    Researcher on perception
    Junji Watanabe was born in 1976. He graduated from Department of Mathematical Engineering and Information Physics, School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo in 2000, and received his Ph. D. in Information Science and Technology from the University of Tokyo in 2005. He studies cognitive science, and its applications to communication devices. His research has been performed not only from an academic viewpoint but also through creative activities in collaboration with artists and designers.
    Junji WATANABE Web Page

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