Our brain could generate sophisticated body motions. However, it has not been clear how the neural system finds a motion from countless candidates solving the redundancy problem. I am investigating the mechanisms using a robotic device and simple experiments of arm movement.

Human Augmentation/Enhancement using VR Technologies

Virtual reality (VR) technologies may have great potentials to enhance human performance. I have investigated the effects and developed new training methods adopting the technologies. We have investigated the effects of difference of perspective views used by some video games, i.e., first-person perspective (1PP) and third-person perspective (3PP). The above video shows a comparison of them on dart throwing. The 3PP view was created by a head-mounted display and a 360-degree camera.

I have developed a robotic prosthesis for hip-disarticulation amputees. Hip-disarticulation prostheses (HDPs) are used by amputees with either an amputation or anomaly at or close to the hip joint. As a result of comparing a non-robotic prosthesis and the robotic prosthesis, the robotic prosthesis could induce proper gait and reduce physical burden as the hip contact forces (shown by yellow arrows in the above video).