About Us
BRIDGING DISTANCES, ENHANCING PRESENCE, EMBODYING CONNECTION
We are an interdisciplinary research group at Hongik University dedicated to pioneering the next generation of Tangible User Interfaces. By exploring the synergy between Robotics, Human-Centered Design, and HCI, we develop a wide range of experimental systems, from low to high-fidelity prototypes. Our mission is to realize 'Willing Objects of Wondering'—robotic physical artifacts that bridge the gap between digital intelligence and physical reality to bring playful interactions and augment human cognitive and physical capabilities.
director
Prof. Kyung Yun Choi | 최경윤
Kyung Yun Choi, PhD, is an interdisciplinary researcher and artist specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), digital fabrication, physical computing, wearables and haptics. She is a tenure-track assistant professor in the Design Engineering division of the Department of Mechanical & System Design Engineering at Hongik University in Seoul, Korea. Her expertise spans designing mechanical mechanisms, building hardware prototypes, and conducting user validation to create impactful, user-centered technologies.
She has published extensively in HCI journal and conferences and has received numerous awards, including the Innovation by Design Award from Fast Company, the Korean Government Scholarship for Study Overseas (2014), the Kwanjeong Scholarship for her graduate studies (2017, 2019), and the 2022 LEGO Papert Fellowship. Her research projects have been featured in prominent media outlets, including IEEE Spectrum and MIT News.
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PhD in Media Arts and Sciences, MIT Media Lab (Tangible Media Group)
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M.S. in Media Arts and Sciences, MIT Media Lab (Tangible Media Group)
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M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Bretl Research Group)
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B.S in Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
Meet The Team
researchers
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Juang Lee | 이주앙
M.S.
Mechanical Engineering
Juang is passionate about Physical UX and Tangible User Interfaces, how people interact with the physical world through design. To explore these areas, he has been diving into UX, human cognition, and fabrication.
Reimagining Human-AI Interaction by leveraging the affordances of Physical and Tangible User Interfaces
Mechanical Design/CAD, Experimental Design/Testing, Prototyping/Fabrication
Physical UX, Interaction Design, TUI, HCI
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Changi Moon | 문찬기
Mechanical & System Design Engineering
B.S.
"See that robot over there? Dad built that arm." Changi's ultimate goal is to become a proud father who can say this to his future kids :) Until then, you'll probably find him somewhere soldering at 2AM or training models that refuse to converge.
Rendering Hyper-Realistic Physical Effects in VR using Multimodal Neck Haptic Device
Machine Learning/AI, Mechanical Design/CAD, Control Systems, Prototyping/Fabrication
Interactive Robotics, Haptics, Shared Autonomy, Control
Chang-Beom Son | 손창범
Mechanical & System Design Engineering
B.S.
In the world of soft robotics, we don’t just build robots—we bake them. Chang-beom is dedicated to baking soft actuators and leveraging their unique properties to explore advanced haptic interaction. By bridging the synergy between Soft Robotics and Haptics, he designs immersive HCI systems that integrate tactile sensing for high-fidelity feedback.
Design and control of soft actuators for haptic interaction.
System Modeling/Simulation, Mechanical Design/CAD, Control Systems, Prototyping/Fabrication
HCI, Soft Robotics, Haptics, Tactile Sensing
Seung Won Hu | 허승원
Computer Engineering
B.S.
Seung Won focuses on Human–Robot Interaction (HRI) and telehaptics, and he is currently developing a multimodal haptic glove system that integrates force, vibration, and thermal feedback. He is proficient in developing real-time control and data processing systems utilizing Python.
Development of a Haptic Glove System for Enhancing Immersion and Precision in VR and Teleoperation
Control Systems, Programming
HCI, HRI, Haptics, Robotics
Min Woo Lee | 이민우
Mechanical & System Design Engineering
B.S.
Min woo is deeply committed to innovating interior environments for future mobility. Leveraging his proficiency in diverse CAD platforms and expertise in AI-driven structural analysis, he aims to deliver impactful contributions to the research shaping this evolution
Optimizing Automotive Airbag Deployment through Single ToF Sensor-Based Weight Estimation and Impact Analysis
Machine Learning/AI, System Modeling/Simulation, Mechanical Design/CAD
Automotive Parts Design, Structural Analysis, Robotics, Mechanical Design..
Jeongki Hong | 홍정기
Mechanical & System Design Engineering
B.S.
Jeongki is passionate about robotics and the development of experimental systems, with a particular focus on the design and prototyping of small-scale aerospace systems.
Investigating new possibilities in developing interactive robotic objects
Mechanical Design/CAD, Prototyping/Fabrication, Product Design
Aerospace, Robotics, Rapid Prototyping
Dong Gyu Kim | 김동규
Industrial & Data Engineering, Mechanical & System Design Engineering (Minor)
B.S.
Dong Gyu is passionate about using data-driven approaches to solve mechanical engineering problems. With interests in machine learning, optimization, and design, he works on connecting physical systems with computational methods in practical and impactful ways.
Optimizing Automotive Airbag Deployment through Single ToF Sensor-Based Weight Estimation and Impact Analysis
Machine Learning/AI, Optimazation, Mechanical Design/CAD, Data Analysis, Preprocessubg, Modeling/Simulation
Robotics, Automotive and Mobility Systems, Military Industry, Quality & Production Management, Smart Factory
Joonhee Lee | 이준희
Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Design Engineering
B.S.
Joonhee studies driving habit correction to support future mobility. Building on his research using haptic feedback to reduce sudden acceleration and braking, he aims to refine routine driving patterns through user-friendly interactions, considering driver comfort and safety.
Driving Simulator-Based Development of Assistive Feedback Systems for Future Mobility
Embedded System, Haptics, Data Analysis
Future Mobility, HCI, Robotics, UX Design, Embedded Systems