Contact Info
Office
John Crerar Library Building 358 / Lab: JCL 380

Ken Nakagaki is an interaction designer and HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) researcher from Japan. He joined the University of Chicago’s Computer Science Department as an Assistant Professor and founded the Actuated Experience Lab, or AxLab, in 2022.

His research has focused on inventing and designing novel user interface technologies that seamlessly combine dynamic digital information or computational aids into daily physical tools and materials. He is passionate about creating novel physical embodied experiences via these interfaces through curiosity-driven tangible prototyping processes. At AxLab, he pursues research in actuated and shape-changing user interface technologies to design the future of user experiences.

Before joining UChicago, he received his Ph.D. from the MIT Media Lab, where Prof. Hiroshi Ishii was his advisor. There he focused his research on Actuated Tangible User Interfaces. Ken has presented at top HCI conferences (ACM CHI, UIST, TEI) and led demonstrations of his work at international exhibitions and museums, including the Ars Electronica Festival and Laval Virtual. He has received numerous awards, including the MIT Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35 Japan & Asia Pacific, the Japan Media Arts Festival, and the James Dyson Award.

Please read my blog about joining the University of Chicago.

Research

Focus Areas: Human-Computer Interaction, User Interfaces, Robotics

‘Actuated Tangible User Interfaces’

My HCI (human-computer interaction) research focuses on designing and developing Actuated Tangible User Interfaces (A-TUIs). A-TUI is an emerging type of user interface that can physically actuate (shape-change and move) for novel user interaction.

While modern computer interfaces (laptops, smartphones/watches, IoT, VR/AR, etc.) have remained physically static and visually dominant for information display and interactivity, A-TUIs can physically convey digital information and dynamically adapt to bodily interaction.

My research in A-TUI merges physical materials with computational and robotic technologies for creating a seamless tangible interaction experience.

Research

Human Computer Interaction

Exploring the interfaces between people and technologies

Labs & Groups

AxLab – Actuated Experience Lab

Ken Nakagaki
Designing shape-changing and reconfigurable technologies that invite people to actively engage and interact with a computationally-enhanced physical world.

News & Events

FabRobotics: The Fusion of 3D Printing and Mobile Robots

Feb 27, 2024

UChicago CS Researchers Shine at CHI 2023 with 12 Papers and Multiple Awards

Apr 19, 2023

New Prototypes AeroRigUI and ThrowIO Take Spatial Interaction to New Heights – Literally

Apr 18, 2023

Computer Science Displays Catch Attention at MSI’s Annual Robot Block Party

Apr 07, 2023

High School Students in College Prep Program Visit UChicago CS

Aug 23, 2022

UChicago CS Labs Join Museum of Science & Industry For Robot Block Party

Apr 20, 2022

Assistant Professor Ken Nakagaki Named Innovator Under 35 by Tech Review

Oct 29, 2021

Trio of New UChicago CS Faculty Join for 2021-22 Academic Year

Sep 16, 2021
Apr
08

Ken Nakagaki (MIT) – Designing Actuated Tangible UIs that blend the Joy of Physical Interaction, Robotic Actuation, and Digital Computation

Apr 08, 2021
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