This paper introduces “FrameLight,” a shape-changing, mobile furniture robot, as one example of the broader concept of “Furnituroids,” which encompasses multiple robots designed to enhance spatial experiences. FrameLight features parallel link mechanisms and dimmable LEDs mounted on a mobile base, capable of dynamically adjusting its shape and position. As an application of calm technology, multiple FrameLight units subtly capture attention and direct users' gaze through synchronized movements and spatial configurations. A user study was conducted using three FrameLight units to investigate how their arrangement and movement patterns influence user perception and behavior. The findings reveal that these robots effectively direct attention through their motion, with vertical arrangements that create a sense of depth being particularly well-received by participants.

This paper proposes Interactive Walking Experiences (IWE), which induce user behavior through a mobile robotbased SAR game implemented using a distributed system. We conducted a preliminary user study to evaluate the usability and user impressions of a prototype SAR game designed to enhance IWE through robot-based SAR. The results suggest that the prototype SAR game tended to provide users with a certain level of enjoyment, usability, and immersion. These findings are preliminary and should be interpreted as indicative trends rather than definitive conclusions. Building on these observations, we plan to conduct controlled user studies to further investigate the mechanisms underlying IWE in mobile robot-based SAR games designed to induce user behavior.

This study introduces shape-changing mobile furniture robot, named “Furnituroid.” It is based on a polysemous design approach that integrates multiple functions of furniture into a mobile robot rather than simply extending traditional furniture as a robot. Furnituroid allows for dynamic affordances on a furniture-scale, and aims at room-scale dynamic affordances by arranging its multiple pieces. This study describes an instance of Furnituroid and the design space considering through its design process.

This paper introduces DataDrawingDroid, a wheel robot to visualize data and draw data-driven generative art onto a floor. In our user study, 24 participants watched videos of three types of data drawing. T-tests for the results on five-point Likert scales indicated that it attracted them and suggested the importance of balancing functionality and aesthetics.

In the development of augmented spaces, it is often difficult to perform frequent prototyping and testing. A range of related problems arise, especially when the cost of operation is high or when it is difficult to implement simulation in advance within the installation space. To address these problems, the authors created an integrated environment for iteration-based development of augmented spaces that allows interactive system developers to create systems using iterative virtual simulation and trial-and-error. With this system, hybrid prototyping using both virtual and miniature simulation can be performed. This paper introduces virtual simulation based on visualization. The authors studied four prototyping and deployment processes for two interactive public displays using both methods in order to clarify their characteristics, and the respective merits and demerits were discussed. Based on the results, a prototyping strategy for interactive public displays was proposed. Basic software operations and ideal positioning of input and output devices were investigated within virtual space, problems arising from differences between virtual and real space were clarified within miniature model space, and the addition of features to the code and related adjustment were iterated within both spaces.

We propose a hybrid prototyping approach that utilizes both virtual simulation and miniature simulation in designing spatial information systems such as public displays or sensors. In this paper, we describe a case study of the hybrid prototyping process and discuss roles of miniature space.

Face to face is a media-art that only takes pictures of a profile or a blurring face, etc. those might be thought as failure pictures generally. Its theme is sameness and difference between camera and mirror, and it aims to offer an experience that people come across oneself whom he/she might not know after he/she sees oneself whom oneself usually see in a mirror. We had an exhibition at NTT ICC (Inter-Communication Center) in Tokyo. In seeing stored images, people seemed to find various activities thorough interacting with this work.

This paper describes a two-handed drawing tool developed on our augmented desk system. Using our real-time finger tracking method, a user can draw and manipulate objects interactively by his/her own finger/hand. Based on the former work on two-handed interaction, different roles are assigned to each hand. The right hand is used to draw and to manipulate objects. Using gesture recognition, primitive objects can be drawn by users' handwriting. On the other hand, the left hand is used to manipulate menus and to assist the right hand. By closing all left hand fingers, users can initiate the appearance of structural radial menus around their left hands, and can select appropriate items by using a left hand finger. The left hand is also used to assist in the performance of drawing tasks, e.g., specifying the center of a circle or top-left corner of a rectangle, or specifying the object to be copied.