Examining Input Modalities and Visual Feedback Designs in Mobile Expressive WritingExpressive writing is an established approach for stress management. Recently, information technologies, such as smartphones, have also been explored for expressive writing. Although mobile interfaces have the potential to support various daily writing activities, interface designs for mobile expressive writing and their effects on stress relief still lack empirical understanding. We examined the interface design of mobile expressive writing by investigating the influence of input modalities and visual feedback designs on usability and perceived cathartic effects through field studies. While our studies confirmed the stress-relieving effects of mobile expressive writing, our results offer important insights into interface design. We found keyboard-based text entry more suited and preferred over voice messages for its privacy and reflective nature. Participants expressed different reasons for preferring different post-writing visual feedback depending on the cause and type of stress. This work advances interface design for mobile expressive writing and deepens understanding of its effects.2025SNShunpei Norihama et al.Voice User Interface (VUI) DesignMental Health Apps & Online Support CommunitiesMobileHCI
Beyond the Dialogue: Multi-chatbot Group Motivational Interviewing for Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) ManagementPremenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a prevalent disorder among women, often exacerbated by a lack of peer support due to associated stigmatization. Drawing inspiration from the established benefits of group therapy, particularly the sense of belonging it fosters, we developed a multi-chatbot group motivational interviewing system. The system consists of a facilitator bot and two peer bots, and simulates a group counseling environment for PMS management using Large Language Models (LLMs). We conducted a study with 63 participants and divided them into three conditions (no intervention, 1-on-1 chatbot, group chatbots) over two menstruation cycles for evaluation. Our findings revealed that participants in the group chat condition exhibited higher levels of engagement and language convergence with the chatbots. These participants were also able to engage in social learning and demonstrated motivation in coping through interactions with the chatbots. Finally, we discuss design implications for multi-chatbot interactions in supporting mental health.2025SGShixian Geng et al.The University of Tokyo, Interactive Intelligent Systems LaboratoryConversational ChatbotsHuman-LLM CollaborationAI Ethics, Fairness & AccountabilityCHI
FoodSkin: Fabricating Edible Gold Leaf Circuits on Food SurfacesWe present FoodSkin, a technique for adding interactive elements to foods by implementing edible circuits on the surface of the food. The circuit is easily fabricated using commercially available materials. Existing approaches to enhance the eating experience, such as presenting an electrical taste by making food part of an electronic circuit, are challenging to apply to foods with low water content due to their low conductivity. Our technique enables the integration of dry foods into an electronic circuit and provides displaying (e.g., smell or taste) and sensing (e.g., eating activity) functionalities. We describe our fabrication technique with a library of food materials that we can utilize, evaluate the conductivity and adhesion of the gold-leaf traces, introduce demonstrative applications, and conclude with a workshop we conducted to evaluate the accessibility of our technique. FoodSkin enriches the design space for the computer- augmented eating experience by enabling the digital fabrication of electronics on versatile materials, surfaces, and shapes of foods.2024KKKunihiro Kato et al.Tokyo University of TechnologyDesktop 3D Printing & Personal FabricationFood Culture & Food InteractionCHI
Automatic Generation of Road Trip Summary Video for Reminiscence and Entertainment using Dashcam VideoVehicle dashboard cameras are becoming an increasingly popular kind of automotive accessory. While it is easy to obtain the high-definition video data recorded by dashcams using Secure Digital memory cards, this data is rarely used except for safety purposes because it takes substantial time and effort to review or edit many hours of such recorded videos. In this paper, we propose a new usage for this data through the automatic video editing system we have developed that can create enjoyable video summaries of road trips utilizing video and other data from the vehicle. We also report the results of comparisons between automatically edited videos created by the proposed system and manually edited videos created by study participants. The prototype developed in this study and the findings from our experiments will contribute to improving the driving experience by providing entertainment for automobile users after road trips, and by memorializing their travels.2021KBKana Bito et al.Game UX & Player BehaviorVideo Production & EditingAutoUI
JetController: High-speed Ungrounded 3-DoF Force Feedback Controllers using Air Propulsion JetsJetController is a novel haptic technology capable of supporting high-speed and persistent 3-DoF ungrounded force feedback. It uses high-speed pneumatic solenoid valves to modulate compressed air to achieve 20-50Hz of full impulses at 4.0-1.0N, and combines multiple air propulsion jets to generate 3-DoF force feedback. Compared to propeller-based approaches, JetController supports 10-30 times faster impulse frequency, and its handheld device is significantly lighter and more compact. JetController supports a wide range of haptic events in games and VR experiences, from firing automatic weapons in games like Halo (15Hz) to slicing fruits in Fruit Ninja (up to 45Hz). To evaluate JetController, we integrated our prototype with two popular VR games, Half-life: Alyx and Beat Saber, to support a variety of 3D interactions. Study results showed that JetController significantly improved realism, enjoyment, and overall experience compared to commercial vibrating controllers, and was preferred by most participants.2021YWYu-Wei Wang et al.National Taiwan UniversityForce Feedback & Pseudo-Haptic Weight360° Video & Panoramic ContentCHI
BubBowl: Display Vessel Using Electrolysis Bubbles in Drinkable BeveragesResearch has been conducted regarding a display that presents digital information using bubbles. Conventional bubble displays require moving parts, because it is common that air taken from outside of the water is used to present pixels. However, it is difficult to increase the number of pixels at a low cost. We propose a novel bubble display using gas generated from electrolysis, and present a cup-type system that generates a dot matrix pattern with 10 × 10 pixels on the surface of a beverage. Our technique requires neither a gas supply from the outside nor moving parts. Using the proposed electrolysis method, a higher-resolution display can be easily realized using a PCB with a higher density of matrix electrodes. Moreover, the method is simple and practical, and it can be utilized in daily life, such as for presenting information with bubbles on the surface of coffee in a cup.2019AIAyaka Ishii et al.Data PhysicalizationUIST
Ohmic-Sticker: Force-to-Motion Type Input Device that Extends Capacitive Touch SurfaceWe propose ``Ohmic-Sticker'', a novel force-to-motion type input device to extend capacitive touch surfaces. It realizes various types of force-sensitive inputs by simply attaching on to commercial touchpads or touchscreens. A simple force-sensitive-resistor (FSR)-based structure enables thin (less than 2 mm) form factors and battery-less operation. The applied force vector is detected as the leakage current from the corresponding touch surface electrodes by using Ohmic-Touch technology. Ohmic-Sticker can be used for adding force-sensitive interactions to touch surfaces, such as analog push buttons, TrackPoint-like devices, and full 6 DoF controllers for navigating virtual spaces. In this paper, we report a series of investigations on the design requirements of Ohmic-Sticker and some prototypes.We also evaluate the performance of Ohmic-Sticker as a pointing device.2019KIKaori Ikematsu et al.Force Feedback & Pseudo-Haptic WeightFull-Body Interaction & Embodied InputCustomizable & Personalized ObjectsUIST
Asian CHI Symposium: Emerging HCI Research CollectionThis symposium showcases the latest work from Asia on interactive systems and user interfaces that address under-explored problems and demonstrate unique approaches. In addition to circulating ideas and sharing a vision of future research in human-computer interaction, this symposium aims to foster social networks among academics (researchers and students) and practitioners and create a fresh research community from Asian region.2018SSSaki Sakaguchi et al.The University of TokyoDeveloping Countries & HCI for Development (HCI4D)User Research Methods (Interviews, Surveys, Observation)CHI
Ohmic-Touch: Extending Touch Interaction by Indirect Touch through Resistive ObjectsWhen an object is interposed between a touch surface and a finger/touch pen, the change in impedance caused by the object can be measured by the driver software. This phenomenon has been used to develop new interaction techniques. Unlike previous works that focused on the capacitance component in impedance, Ohmic-Touch enhances touch input modality by sensing resistance. Using 3D printers or inkjet printers with conductive materials and off-the-shelf electronic components/sensors, resistance is easily and precisely controllable. We implement mechanisms on touch surfaces based on the electrical resistance of the object: for example, to sense the touching position on an interposed object, to identify each object, and to sense light, force, or temperature by using resistors and sensors. Additionally, we conduct experimental studies that demonstrate that our technology has a recognition accuracy of the resistance value of 97%.2018KIKaori Ikematsu et al.Circuit Making & Hardware PrototypingPrototyping & User TestingCHI