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Ken Nakagaki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chicago, where he founded the Actuated Experience Lab (AxLab) in 2022. His research is centered on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and focuses on creating novel user interface technologies that seamlessly integrate physical tools and digital information. Ken's work emphasizes the development of Actuated Tangible User Interfaces (A-TUIs), which are user interfaces that can physically actuate and change shape to enhance user interaction. His dedication to curiosity-driven prototyping processes aims to create engaging embodied experiences. Ken holds a Ph.D. from the MIT Media Lab, where he worked under the guidance of Professor Hiroshi Ishii. He has presented at top HCI conferences such as ACM CHI, UIST, and TEI and has led demonstrations at international exhibitions like the Ars Electronica Festival and Laval Virtual. Over the years, Ken has received numerous awards, including the MIT Technology Review’s Innovators 35 Japan & Asia Pacific and recognition at the Japan Media Arts Festival. His efforts are geared toward fostering interactions that invite user engagement with computationally-enhanced physical environments.
Department of Philosophy