Masahiko Inami’s research while affiliated with University of Electro-Communications and other places

This paper proposes a new type Robotic User Interface (RUI). RUI is a robot that used as physical avatars for Computer-Human Interaction. Hand puppet type RUI is a robot that attached actuators and sensor inside body. A user wears this interface on hand and operates CG model generated by a computer. In this paper, we present the concept of Hand Puppet type RUI and describe implementations of a prototype. And we conduct verification experiments for effect of vibration.

A Robotic User Interface (RUI) is part of a concept in which a robot is used as an interface for human behavior. RobotPHONE is a RUI for interpersonal exchanges that uses robots as agents for physical communication. The shape and motion of RobotPHONE is continuously synchronized by a bilateral control method. Using RobotPHONE, users in remote locations can communicate shapes and motion with each other. In this paper, we propose a new type of RobotPHONE (MR RobotPHONE) system using Mixed Reality system. This MR RobotPHONE system enables people to communicate with each other via MR world and directly interact with the mixed reality world.

Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) induces a sensation of virtual acceleration as vestibular information. GVS is expected as a wearable interface because it does not need a large device like a motion platform. In particular, GVS with alternating current (AC) can influence vision which mainly consists of torsional component. The purpose of this research was to evaluate quantitatively the effects of GVS on visual perception, and to infer its cause. In order to investigate these issues, we conducted psychophysical experiments during GVS with AC that consisted of three different types of image presentation method: Image fixed on a spatial coordinate system, a head coordinate system and a retina coordinate system. It is suggested that the visual motion perception induced by GVS is mediated by eye movements.

The previous researches on augmented reality have been mainly focused on augmentation of visual or acoustic information. However, the human could get information not only through vision and acoustics, but also through haptics. The haptic sensation is very intuitive hence some researchers are focus on using haptic sensation in an augmented reality system. In these researches, the haptic sensation is generated based on static data such as generated from CAD, CT, etc. However, these systems are hard to respond to changing real environment in a real time. In this paper, we propose a new concept for the augmented reality of haptics, the SmartTool. The SmartTool could respond to the real environment by using real time sensors and a haptic display. The sensors on the SmartTool measure the real environment then send us that information through our haptic sensation. Furthermore, we will describe about the prototype system we have developed.

It is necessary for the motion devices of "parasitic humanoid" to present motion timing and which joint and direction to move exactly. To satisfy these conditions, it is necessary that the presented stimulus connects directly with the corresponding motion. In this paper, we propose "periosteal-reflex-induced motion device" as a new motion device for parasitic humanoid. Utilizing periosteal-reflex, this device presents which joint and direction to move more directly than any other previous motion devices. We also report an experimental result, which implies availability of our new device.