MATSUDA Eiko

Research Overview

Human Harmony Design Science and Engineering Understanding People and Designing Technologies that Enrich Their Lives Our laboratory conducts interdisciplinary research in Human Harmony Design Science and Engineering. We scientifically investigate what people feel, remember, and learn, and why they make certain decisions or take particular actions. Our research combines psychological experiments with data such as eye movements, facial expressions, heart rate, and behavior. Our work begins with familiar yet fundamental questions about people. How does a genuine smile emerge? What happens in the mind and body when we experience wonder and awe in front of majestic nature? How is synesthesia—such as seeing colors in letters or sounds—related to each person’s unique way of sensing and remembering the world? Why do people sometimes help others, but at other times hurt them? We study the mechanisms behind sensation, emotion, memory, learning, decision-making, and behavior. We then translate our findings into technologies such as VR, robots, AI, interfaces, and games, and evaluate their effects. Our projects include using VR-induced awe to promote well-being; designing robot movements and appearances that help users feel at ease; applying subtle smiles and emotionally engaging voices to robots; developing educational support tailored to individual learners; and creating interfaces that reduce human error. Our strength lies in connecting psychology and cognitive science with engineering. By designing technology around human experience, we explore ways for people and technology to support each other naturally. Through this research, we seek to create safer and richer lives in which people, technology, and society exist in harmony.

Specialty

Synesthesia, Fantasy, Artificial life, Embodied cognitive science, Complex system physics

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