Farewell & Welcome BBQ Party for International Students!!

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We held an outdoor farewell and welcome BBQ party for JulesđŸ‡«đŸ‡·-san, who is returning to his home country this month, and JunghađŸ‡°đŸ‡·-san, who has just joined the lab as a new international student this month!

On the day, we had plenty of meat and we chatted about everything from casual topics to research activities across a wide range of subjects. Even though we were worried about rain, the BBQ went smoothly, and being able to enjoy the natural breeze made for a truly refreshing, open-air party!

Jules-san actively interacted with lab members from his very first day in the lab, and even though his stay was a short three months, he blended into the lab better than I (Yamada) have (lol). We’d love to see him again! After returning to France, he’ll be at a different university from the one in Besançon where he was studying before, so everyone in the lab is rooting for him!

Jungha-san is a PhD student from South Korea, and from July to December she’ll be advancing her research related to autonomous driving. She apparently likes Tamama from Keroro Gunso, so please feel free to bond with her over that! There will also be big lab events like the “lab retreat” before December, so there will be plenty of great opportunities for communication — don’t miss out!

Looking forward to the next party too! See you all then~

Jules-san (left), Jungha-san (center), Yamada (right)

Jie-san (left)

Shimizu-san

Misaki-san

CHI 2026 in Barcelona

Hello. I am Feiyang YIN, I attended CHI 2026 in Barcelona this April as a workshop presenter.

This was my first time to attend such a top-tier international conference, so it was really a valuable experience for me.
During the conference, I reunited with old friends and made many new ones from universities such as Cornell University, the University of Edinburgh, and Université Paris-Saclay. I also learned a great deal, exchanged ideas with researchers from different backgrounds, including professors from Keio University and the University of Auckland.

Besides the conference, I also had the opportunity to experience the local culture. I traveled to a seaside town called Tossa and enjoyed some delicious local food, including ham with melon.


I also visited several churches and was amazed by their beauty and incredible level of detail.

 For the final stop of my trip to Spain, I visited a valley called NĂșria.

On the way to NĂșria, I stopped by a medieval town called Vic. The goat cheese salad at one of the local restaurants was absolutely delicious! While exploring the town, I was also surprised to discover a bookstore full of otaku culture!!!!

Afterward, I took a bus to Ribes de Freser. To reach NĂșria, I then boarded the rack railway, which offered spectacular views along the way. The scenery in NĂșria was truly beautiful. My only regret was that I couldn’t find the herd; they seemed to be hiding somewhere.

First Prize at the OGIS-RI Software Challenge Award!

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Hello, I’m Yoshio, a first-year master’s student.I’m happy to share that I participated in the 16th OGIS-RI Software Challenge Award (hosted by OGIS Research Institute Co., Ltd.) held on December 2, and received the First Prize!

About the ContestThis contest is a software competition organized by OGIS Research Institute for university and graduate students across Japan. This year’s theme was “Surrealism.” Although it may seem unrelated to software development at first glance, the abstract nature of the theme encouraged participants to propose highly creative and original ideas unique to students.For more details about the contest: https://www.ogis-ri.co.jp/event/e107966.html

Project Presented: “Mirai Gram”The project I planned and developed is a software application called “Mirai Gram.”This software aims to visualize children’s non-cognitive abilities—such as initiative and perseverance—which cannot be measured through test scores. By expressing children’s inner traits and hidden potential as surreal, dreamlike artworks, the system aligns with the theme of surrealism and offers a unique way to represent otherwise invisible qualities.

Development and Preparation JourneyI first learned about this contest through the GEIOT Program at NAIST. After applying in September and passing the document screening in October, I began preparing for the final round in December.For developing the demo application, I used Flutter, which I had learned during an internship. Without that experience, it would have been difficult to build a working prototype in such a short time.Balancing this project with research and job hunting made for a very demanding schedule, but I’m relieved that it resulted in a positive outcome.

Reflections on Receiving the AwardSince I only began studying information science seriously after entering graduate school, I was often overwhelmed by the high level of those around me. Under such circumstances, being able to achieve this result by leveraging my presentation experience from classes and the development skills I gained during my internship has given me great confidence.I would like to express my sincere gratitude to NAIST for providing an environment where I could boldly take on new challenges, and to my professors and lab members for their continuous support.I will use this experience as motivation to further dedicate myself to my future research activities!

First Place at the CVG Osaka Regional Competition!

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Hello, this is Takuto Akiyoshi, a third-year doctoral student.

On December 15, I gave a presentation in the final round of the Campus Venture Grand Prix (CVG) Osaka Regional Competition [1]. The title of my presentation was “ROBOZOO: A Robot Zoo that Nurtures the Heart.” This competition is known as a business plan contest for student entrepreneurs.To explore how ROBOZOO—which I exhibited at the Osaka-Kansai Expo on July 13—can be implemented in society, I took on the challenge of participating in my first business plan competition, thinking about how to develop it through business as a form of social implementation. I am truly grateful to have received the top prize (championship), and I feel deep appreciation for everyone who has been involved and supported me along the way. Next, I will do my best at the national competition in February next year (2026)!My reflections after finishing the presentation [2], as well as my thoughts on social implementation and entrepreneurship [3], are shared in the essays below—please take a look!

[1] https://cvg.nikkan.co.jp/oosaka[2] https://note.com/tri_psyche/n/n74a7e2b65c7d[3] https://note.com/tri_psyche/n/n205acebc6532

Presentation at Doctoral Dissertation Defense!

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Hello, this is Takuto Akiyoshi, a third-year doctoral student.

On December 11, I gave my presentation at my doctoral dissertation defense. The title of my talk was “Active Listening of an Interactive Hugging Robot.” Addressing the social issue of mental health support, my research explores how an interactive robot capable of hugging can engage with people, and what kinds of effects such interactions can produce.The session consisted of a 40-minute presentation of my research, followed by a 20-minute Q&A session. Surrounded by my supervisors, committee members, and junior lab members, I was quite nervous, but I managed to get through it successfully. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all the guidance and support I have received up to this point.As I move toward completing the final version of my dissertation, I will continue to do my best over the next few months!

My reflections immediately after the presentation [1], as well as my renewed determination and passion for my research after a night’s rest [2], are shared in the essays linked below—please feel free to take a look![1]https://note.com/tri_psyche/n/na2eac2af9b60[2]https://note.com/tri_psyche/n/nd69e821f17dc

Participating in the Granite / Granite-AI Workshop

Nice to meet you. My name is Yuki Shimizu from D2.
This might be my first time writing something for our lab’s blog!

This time, I’d like to share my experience attending the workshop of the on-campus fellowship program “Granite / Granite-AI”.

At NAIST, there is a fellowship program called the Granite Program for doctoral students, through which selected students receive financial support for living expenses, research costs, and study abroad. (You can find more details [here]!)

I’ve been supported by this program since the second year of my doctoral course (D2).
As part of the program, a workshop was held on October 31, where Granite fellows from various research fields gathered to present their work to one another as well as to invited company representatives.

[Program Schedule]

In the morning session, three guests from industry gave insightful talks on their own career paths and on possible trajectories for Ph.D. students.

Without going into too much detail, I was deeply inspired by their stories emphasizing that what truly matters is not only research expertise but also experiences such as overcoming challenges with lab members and having the courage to take on ambitious problems. These, they said, are essential for building a strong career foundation.

In the afternoon, we had two presentation sessions: 100-second short talks by all Granite fellows (more than 60 speakers!) and a 90-minute poster session.

Delivering a memorable 100-second talk that draws people to your poster is not easy when there are so many presenters.
I had prepared thoroughly—getting advice from both senior and junior lab members—and I think I managed to leave quite a good impression.
(Some presenters struggled a bit, talking about very technical topics that were hard to follow in such a short time!)

[My Poster]

During the poster session, we actively introduced each other’s work and enjoyed interdisciplinary exchanges across different research areas.

Personally, I found the bio-related research particularly fascinating—how researchers observe biological reactions under varying conditions and turn the discovery of unexpected phenomena into academic papers.
That process embodies the very essence of science, and I found it truly inspiring.
(Did you know that there are even students studying chimera research at NAIST?)

[Award Ceremony]

After the poster session came the award ceremony, where students with outstanding presentations received Excellence and Best Presentation awards.

The selection was based on voting—including votes from fellow students!
Unfortunately, I didn’t win any awards (probably because I don’t have many friends
 just kidding). Still, I felt confident about my performance and satisfied with how it went.

Finally, Professor Kato presented the awards and delivered the closing remarks, bringing the workshop to a warm conclusion.

That wraps up my report on the Granite Workshop.
If you’re considering pursuing a doctoral degree, I highly recommend attending such events—you’ll have the chance to hear directly from current students and get a real sense of the atmosphere.

I look forward to seeing you again in the next post!

Farewell Party for Graduates

We recently held a farewell party for Oat and Rahman, who will be graduating this autumn.
Gathered around curry, naan, sushi, and good conversation, we all enjoyed a warm and lively time together.

After graduation, Oat will begin a new chapter by working in Japan, while Rahman will continue his journey in the IMD Lab as a Ph.D. student.
We are truly grateful for their contributions to the lab, and we sincerely wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Next up will be the welcome party for the new students joining us in the upcoming academic year. We look forward to meeting them!

  

(Left : Party scene, Right : Party food🍛)

Participated in and Presented at the VR Society Conference!

From September 17th to 19th, several members of our lab gave presentations at the 30th Annual Conference of the Virtual Reality Society of Japan (VRSJ), held at Ritsumeikan University’s Osaka Ibaraki Campus.

This year, Associate Professor Sawarabe, along with second-year master’s students Noguchi, Shigetou, and Cheng, and first-year master’s student Misaki, presented their work in the poster sessions.

Despite being only in his first year, Gozen took on the challenge of presenting, while Cheng delivered his presentation in English, even though it was a domestic conference.

In addition, Shigetou presented his research on AR × autonomous driving, while Noguchi introduced his work on VR × stroking interaction. Associate Professor Sawarabe also gave three presentations in total, making this conference a great opportunity to showcase the wide range of research being conducted at IMD.

Not only the presenters but also many IMD students joined as attendees, making it a valuable experience to broaden their knowledge across various research fields. We hope this event has inspired everyone for their future work!

 

Poster presentation in progress (Left: Shigetou, Right: Misaki)

Master’s Thesis Presentations by autumn graduates!

On August 28, the Master’s thesis presentations of Oat and Rahman was implemented. They are both preparing to graduate this fall. Each gave a 30-minute talk followed by Q&A, where they shared the results of their two years of research.

After their presentations, they also gave us some personal reflections:

Oat: A Transformative Journey: Reflecting on My Master’s in Interactive Media and Design Lab

“My decision to pursue graduate studies was born from a deep-seated passion for international experience and a desire to elevate my professional capabilities. After four years as a software engineer in the banking and software sectors, I found myself at a critical juncture. Observing many of my colleagues pursue advanced degrees, whether through specialized courses or full-time enrollment, prompted a period of self-reflection on my own career trajectory. This led to what would become one of the most significant and rewarding decisions of my life ‘returning to school once again’.

My undergraduate experience had planted the seeds for this next step. A course on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) had fundamentally altered my perspective on technology. It taught me that innovation is not solely about possessing the fantasy features and application, but about deeply understanding the user. This human-centered approach, rooted in the principle of empathy, resonated with me on a profound level and solidified my conviction that if I were to pursue further education, HCI was the field I would choose.

Two years ago, I embarked on this journey, joining the Interactive Media and Design Lab in Japan. The experience has exceeded my expectations in every regard. The research conducted here is dedicated to improving the human experience through technology. It goes beyond the purely technical and focuses on creating solutions that genuinely enhance people’s lives. This ethics of empathy extends beyond the projects and permeates the entire lab environment. Professors and fellow students alike embody a spirit of collaboration and understanding, recognizing and supporting the unique strengths of each individual. This collective empathy has been truly remarkable to witness and be a part of.

For my master’s research, I am developing a training system to support individuals struggling with communication skills. This project has required me to conduct extensive literature reviews across diverse fields, from computer science to psychology, to identify effective methodologies for communication skill development. Through this work, I have gained invaluable insights into HCI methodologies, academic research practices, and cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality and 3D design. Coming from a corporate background, this academic immersion has been an incredibly eye-opening experience.

The knowledge and skills I have cultivated at this lab will be instrumental in my future career. The principles of human-centric design I’ve learned here will allow me to be a more empathetic and effective engineer, capable of creating solutions that are not only technologically sound but also deeply aligned with user needs. Just as the business world has embraced a “customer-centric” approach, this lab has instilled in me a human-centric mindset that I am confident will be an invaluable asset. My decision to pursue this master’s degree has undoubtedly been one of the best of my life.”

[Oat during his presentation]

Rahman: Master’s Thesis Presentation at NAIST

“I am pleased to share that I recently delivered my Master’s thesis presentation at Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Japan.

My thesis, titled:
“Smart Rehabilitation for Augmenting Therapists’ Skills: A Mixed Reality System for Simulating AI-Generated Patient-Specific Impaired Walking Motions and an Assistive Robotic Walker,”
focused on developing innovative systems that combine Mixed Reality, AI-driven motion generation, and robotic assistance to support therapist training and patient rehabilitation.

This presentation was an important milestone, giving me the opportunity to present two years of research and receive constructive feedback from my professors and peers. I am also grateful for the chance to collaborate with the Kyoto University, Japan and University of Trento (MIRO-Lab, Italy) whose expertise and insights greatly shaped this work.

The official result is not yet announced, but I feel encouraged and motivated by completing this stage, and I look forward to the next steps in advancing immersive technologies for healthcare.”

Both Oat and Rahman shared thoughtful insights that reflect not only their research achievements but also their personal growth during their time in the lab. We warmly congratulate them on reaching this milestone and look forward to seeing their next steps!

[Rahman during his presentation]

Interaction 2025

We participated in Interaction 2025 held at Hitotsubashi Auditorium for three days as a demonstration presentation. Our presentation, “Investigation of the sense of life through the experience of feeding a bird-like robot,” was given on the first day of the event, and we had a very fruitful discussion with the participants.
We had a wide range of discussions with the participants and had a very fruitful time.
Two of the most frequently asked questions from the participants were whether the stuffed animals were handmade or not, and whether the robot could walk.

When I told them that I had already used a stuffed animal for the former question, they replied that they had never heard of a company that sold realistic, full-scale stuffed animals of a penguin.
Many of them were surprised that there are companies that sell realistic stuffed animals of real size. We also talked about how difficult it is to make something from scratch when conducting research and experiments.


“Favorite Research Auditing Penguin”
by Kaito Nakamura