Analysis of wrist contour changing phenomenon induced by hand shape and internal force changes and its application to a wearable device

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18H03272
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 61020:Human interface and interaction-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Fukui Rui 東京大学, 大学院新領域創成科学研究科, 准教授 (80607416)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: ウェアラブルデバイス / ユーザインタフェース / 手首凹凸 / 腕時計型デバイス / 人間工学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this research, we aimed to realize a device that can recognize the hand shape and internal force (the degree of force applied) at the same time just by wearing it on the wrist like a wristwatch. Specifically, we conducted research using the following three approaches. (1) The unevenness of the wrist surface (wrist contour) was measured by a distance sensor array mounted on the inner surface of the wrist-mounted device, and at the same time, the degree of force applied were also acquired using an electromyogram or a gripping force meter. (2) We analyzed the acquired data on the degree of force applied in the wrist contour pattern, and clarified how the wrist contour change phenomenon is caused. (3) We constructed a recognizer that inputs the feature values extracted from wrist contour data and outputs the degree of force applied.

Free Research Field

ヒューマンインタフェース

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は手首に巻き付ける腕時計型のデバイスにより得られる手首凹凸データから，手形状だけではなく，力の入れ具合（内力）まで認識できることを明らかにした世界初の試みである。多くのユーザインタフェース研究では，手指の動き（形状）が認識されてきたが，本研究のように力の入れ具合まで認識した研究は研究代表者の知る限り過去に例がなく，非常に先進的な取り組みである。この研究成果は，手首装着型のユーザインタフェース研究に新たな認識対象を加えることの意義をもたらし，さらなる発展が期待される。