Human augmentation is a new research field for enhancement of physical and psychological functions of humans through wearable sensors, VR / AR, robots, etc. In our laboratory, elemental technologies are integrated for improving physical ability, willingness to continue, and cognitive ability based on an active model (Action-Perception) in which a person changes the environment by his / her own actions with augmented ability and perceives the change. The Human Augmentation Laboratory has been established in the AIST Kashiwa Center at the Kashiwa II Campus, and three researchers belonging to Human Augmentation Research Center of AIST have been assigned as visiting professors. Our research interests are related to nursing care, health, and work situations. We set concrete research topic through collaboration with companies and medical institutions.

Human augmentation technology augments human motor and sensory capabilities by designing their interactions. This technology consists of ① daily multimodal measurement, ② modeling, analysis, and simulation, and ③ kinodynamic / cognitive control and real-time intervention. ① involves a development of human measurement technology using an image recognition by machine learning technology and wearable devices using flexible sensors, ② involves a development of musculoskeletal knodynamic analysis technology based on biomechanics and motion generation technology using deep learning technology, and ③ involves a development of real-time intervention system using environmental kinodynamic / cognitive control based on robotics technology. Real-time loop of ①-②-③ would modify human behaviors and realize human augmentation technology.

To enhance physical and psychological functions of human, we are conducting cognitive/affective research to understand the psychological and biological mechanisms that support the interaction between human and environment/information, and to construct the computational model of behavior and the physiological activity.
Research topics include 1) a development of technologies to measure cognitive functions and affective state using behavioral and physiological indices, 2) a development of a model for the interaction between cognition and affect using cognitive neuroscience techniques, 3) a development of intervention and behavior change technologies based on these research. Our research contritubes to a development of designing human-information interaction, and promote the social implementation of technologies to improve physical and psychological functions in real life situation.