FY2014

Embodied Media Technology Based on
Haptic Primary Colors
Researching into technology to transmit haptic as well as visual and auditory sensations
In terms of human visual and auditory senses, the spread of transmission technologies such as
television has already allowed us to experience sensations through images and sounds, just as if thereal thing were in front of us. In addition to visual and auditory sensations, we have newly developed atechnology to record, transmit, and reproduce haptic sensations based on the principle of haptic primarycolors. We have constructed the fundamental technology of haptic sensation transmission by developing
technology such as a display apparatus by which 3D objects projected in the air can be directly touched,
and telexistence technology in which a robot installed in a remote location transmits visual, audio, andtactile information to the user, giving them the sensation of being inside the robot.

Presenting the world with “embodied media”
The ACCEL project, based on our previous CREST research, aims to build “embodied media” thatcreate new physical experiences by heightening haptic media to the same level as visual and auditory
media, and unifying them. We are currently developing an “integrated tactile sensation transmissionmodule,” which is the key to commercializing tactile sensation transmission technology. This will digitize
the sensation of an object touched by haptic sensors installed on robotic fingers, and have a user touch a
haptic sensation display, which will reproduce the sensation, permitting the user to feel it.
Embodied media has the potential to accelerate a range of industries and industrial fields such asarchitecture, civil engineering, agriculture, service, medicine, welfare, and education.

Research DirectorProgram Manager

Susumu Tachi

Junji Nomura

Professor Emeritus, The University of TokyoACCEL Program Manager, Japan Science and Technology Agency

I specialize in robotics and virtual reality (VR), and have madecontributions to the creation of each of these disciplines andacademic fields of study.
My research came from an idea that the power of science andtechnology could be used to augment human functions we lose
and to further empower our inherent abilities.
In 1980, I came up with the idea of telexistence, a technologythat allows humans to transcend time and space. Ever since, I
have conducted research with the goal of realizing telexistence,
which evolved from visual and auditory sensations into tactile
sensations and then into full embodiment.
In the ACCEL project, I would like to build groundwork tocommercialize embodied media technology as a compilation of
my long-lasting research. I will create a new industrial field bydeveloping a compact, integrated tactile sensation transmission
module and realizing virtual reality and telexistence as embodied
media that incorporate visual and auditory sensations as well astactile sensations of presence.

My role in the ACCEL project is to commercialize technologythat universities have developed in concert with companies. I will
provide a path for the use of embodied media in the broadcasting,entertainment, and other fields. I will also pave the way to theindustrial world by introducing telework using telexistence.
Telework using telexistence will solve problems such as labor
shortages and night work, helping provide better ways of life. Inaddition, as one of the open innovation strategies, I will organize
a consortium on embodied media to apply it to society by
disseminating research outcomes and bringing together a great
range of knowledge and wisdom.
Giving back research results to society will allow the birth ofcompletely new media, which will lead to the realization of asociety where you can feel the sensation and warmth of the skinwhen you shake hands with a person who lives overseas, orthat you can take care of your parents living far away from you,and where you can manufacture precision parts effectively by
reproducing a craftsman’s delicate touch.

Telexistence is a technology that can expand human

I feel that haptic sensation is the ultimate element ofexistence by making users feel as if they exist in othermanufacturing. Turning it into technology is a great

locations without actually being there.

challenge for the industrial world.

Industrial Expansion of Embodied MediaCreation of New Industries based on Business Collaboration
Embodied Media Start-ups

Broadcast & Sports
Entertainment

Telexistence
Telework

Mobile & Wearable

Medical Treatment& Health Care

Transmitting “embodiment”
to locations far removed

Applications in Various Fields

from the physical body will

Embodied Media Consortium
Cyber Living Lab as an Open Innovation Base
Wearable Haptic Sensation Display
International Standardization

Software Development Kit

Haptic Primary Colors

Haptic Modulecause a paradigm shift in

Proof of Concept by Demonstrating
Embodied Media Platforms

lifestyles, communication,and industry.

Embodied ContentPlatform

Embodied Telexistence
Platform

Haptic Primary Colors
Human haptic sensation is a perception based on several types of sensor information. We cameup with the idea that this haptic sensation could be broken down into three elements: vibration,force, and temperature; and proposed to call it the “principle of haptic primary colors” after thethree primary colors of light. Like reproducing color on a display resolved into three primary colors,
digitizing each element of haptic sensation enables it to be recorded, transmitted, and reproduced.
27

130'*-&4646.65"$)*130'*-&+6/+*/0.63"

1973: Ph.D. (Engineering), The University of Tokyo; Visiting Scientist at Massachusetts

1971: Graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University. Joined PanasonicInstitute of Technology; Professor, Graduate School of Information Science andElectric Works Co., Ltd. (currently Panasonic Corporation). R&D in virtual reality, etc.,

Technology, The University of Tokyo; Professor, Graduate School of Medial Design,and Innovation management in business. Promotion of standardization as President

Keio University. Research into guide dog robots, telexistence, retroreflective projectionof IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). Ph.D. (Engineering)

technology, autostereoscopic VR, and haptic primary colors.