Romain Nith

Romain Nith is a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at the University of Chicago under the supervision of Professor Pedro Lopes. His primary research focuses on haptics, wearable devices, and virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR). He specializes in enhancing physical and cognitive abilities using technologies like Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS). His work has been published in top Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) conferences such as ACM CHI and UIST, earning Best Paper Awards and multiple honorable mentions. In addition, his research has been featured by outlets such as New Scientist, IEEE Spectrum, and Engadget, and has received a Guinness World Record. He previously interned as a researcher at Meta’s Reality Labs Research team and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from McGill University.

• 2021-2022·Meta Reality Labs Research·Research Intern
  • Worked with the haptics team on developing haptic technologies, focusing on novel wearable devices and innovations in human-computer interaction.

• 2020–Present·University of Chicago·Ph.D.
  • Major in Computer Science, researching haptics, wearable devices, and virtual reality.
• 2015–2019·McGill University·Bachelor’s
  • Major in Computer Engineering. Participated in the Formula Electric Design Team, designing and building student formula race cars.

• SplitBody: Reducing Mental Workload while Multitasking via Muscle Stimulation
  • Utilized electrical muscle stimulation to reduce users’ mental workload during multitasking (ACM CHI 2024).
• JumpMod: Haptic Backpack for Gravity Simulation
  • Developed a haptic backpack that simulates the feeling of gravity, applicable to virtual reality and athletic training (ACM CHI 2023).
• DextrEMS: Enhancing Dexterity with Electrical Muscle Stimulation
  • Combined electrical muscle stimulation with mechanical braking to improve fine motor skills. Received Best Demo Award and Guinness World Record (ACM UIST 2021).

Romain Nith's research aims to create groundbreaking human-computer interaction technologies, driving significant advancements in academia and offering innovative solutions for real-world applications.