HJ. KIM LAB
⾦ 賢貞 研究室


DLX Platform, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo
東京大学 生産技術研究所 価値創造デザイン推進基盤

IIS (EN / JA) | UTokyo (EN / JA) | researchmap (EN / JA)






05.30-31

04.29

04.18

04.09




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About

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News (AY2025)
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Rats in the City at Komaba Open Campus 2025
「都市のネズミ」は、東大駒場リサーチキャンパス公開2025で展示されます
MIRAbot at CHI 2025 Video Showcase
CHI 2025 にて「ミラボット」を発表しました。
The Okawa Foundation FY2024 Research Grant Online Forum
大川財団2024研究助成オンラインフォーラムにて発表しました。
Malo Le Meur (Univ. of Bordeaux) joined us as an intern
マロ・ル・ムール(ボルドー大)がインターンとして加わりました。
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Projects (2021-)
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Rats in the City                
Talking with Neurons    
MIRAbot
Auze
Tidal Space
Isle of Reflections

© Hyunjung Kim 2025

We explore how design can bridge the gap between people and emerging science and technology.


デザインを通じて、人々と新たな科学・技術との距離を縮める方法を探求しています。


Our work is always carried out in collaboration—primarily with scientists and engineers—and is currently guided by two goals:

  • To make science and technology more accessible and inclusive.
  • To design technologies that inspire and support people in navigating the challenges of a changing world.

Through every collaboration, we expand the potential of design—believing that this collaborative approach can help shape a future that is more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable, not only for humans but also for more-than-human beings.

Our work is closely affiliated with the DLX Design Lab, particularly through the Treasure Hunting projects.
01.Rats in the City
In collaboration with the Laboratory of Veterinary Ethology, UTokyo 
2024–Present

Rats in the City features interactive installations with rat photographs by Hiroyoshi Hara, inviting audiences to observe urban rats without bias. The project challenges current rat control methods and proposes coexistence—while respecting the boundaries between humans and urban wildlife—as a more inclusive alternative.

To be exhibited at the Gwangju Design Biennale 2025.


02.Talking with Neurons  In collaboration with Ikeuchi Lab, IIS, UTokyo
2022–2024

Talking with Neurons is an interactive installation that enables participants to remotely engage with in vitro neural circuits. By sending voice inputs, they receive audiovisual feedback representing the neurons’ responses. The installation offers a unique opportunity to explore the potential and limitations of neural organoids, while also providing a rare glimpse into the laboratory setting.

Exhibition
Future Elements: Experimental Laboratory for Prototyping in Science and Design, 21_21 Design Sight, Tokyo, Japan | Mar–Sep 2024

Conference
Kunasilan, P., Arguelles, A., Klebanov, Y., Chow, S. Y. A., Hu, H., Duenki, T., Nabeta, A., Ikeuchi, Y., Pennington, M. & Kim, H.* (2023). Talking with Neurons. In ACM SIGGRAPH 2023 Art Gallery (pp. 1-3).
Talks and Live Demos
The 10th DLX Forum | Jan 31, 2025
Live “Talking with Neurons” | July 5, 2024 
DAC SPARKS - SIGGRAPH 2023 Art Gallery Artist Talks  | Sep 29, 2023

1/2    Consequatur in Temporum: Quo Dignitas, Nulla Ipsum
2/2    Consequatur in Temporum: Quo Dignitas, Nulla Ipsum
03.MIRAbot In collaboration with the Dept. of Industrial Design, KAIST
2024-2025

MIRAbot is a reimagined rearview mirror that serves as an intelligent driving assistant for SAE Level 3 semi-autonomous vehicles. It seamlessly transitions between a traditional mirror and an interactive interface, supporting manual driving, autonomous mode, and the handovers between them. Building on Auze, MIRAbot is designed to make semi-autonomous driving more intuitive, engaging, and inclusive.

Conference
Fischer, M., Kim, Y., Lee, G., Kiuchi, S., Lee, C. H., Honma, K., Pennington, M. & Kim, H*. (2025). MIRAbot: A Rearview Mirror Driving Assistant for Semi-Autonomous Vehicles. In Proc. of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-2).
Research Grant
The Okawa Foundation for Information and Telecommunications, 2004


1/3    Ipsum Voluptate, Nostrum
04.Auze In collaboration with ID KAIST, NAIST, and JARI
2022-2023

Auze is a robotic rearview ornament designed to enhance the semi-autonomous driving experience at SAE Level 3. As an in-car accessory, it uses kinesthetic and auditory cues alongside the existing handover system to support driver takeovers. Auze marks our first step toward designing assistive systems that improve the semi-autonomous driving experience by fostering trust between the driver and the vehicle. 

Conferences
Fischer, M., Jeon, J., Pyo, S., Kiuchi, S., Oda, K., Honma, K., .Pennington, M. & Kim, H.* (2024). Design Exploration of Robotic In-Car Accessories for Semi-Autonomous Vehicles. In Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-2).
Kim, H.*, Fischer, M., Jeon, J., Pyo, S., Honma, K., Pennington, M., Shimono, K., Liu, H. & Hiraoka, T. (2024). Design Exploration of Robotic In-Car Accessories for Semi-Autonomous Vehicles. In Companion of the 2024 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (pp. 603-607)

1/3    Officia Sequitur, Ratione
2/3    Officia Sequitur, Ratione
05.Tidal Space  In collaboration with Cream On Chrome
2021-2022

Tidal Space is an interactive installation for work-from-home parents, featuring motorized curtains and a foldable acoustic panel. Triggered by screen activity, it adjusts to support focused work, quick check-ins with children, or playful interaction—enhancing the home office experience for the whole family.

This project was created as part of the cross-cultural design program Living and Working from Home, commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and the Netherlands.

ExhibitionsDutch Design Week 2021, Eindhoven, Netherlands | Oct 16–24, 2021
Seoul Design Festival 2021, COEX, Seoul, Korea | Dec 21–25, 2021

Conference
Huynh, M., Althaus, J., & Kim, H.* (2022). Tidal Space: Interactive Home Installation for Work-From-Home Parents. In SIGGRAPH Asia 2022 Emerging Technologies (pp. 1-2).


1/3    Ipsum Voluptate, Nostrum
2/3    Ipsum Voluptate, Nostrum
3/3    Ipsum Voluptate, Nostrum
06.Isle of Reflections 2021
Isle of Reflections is an interactive lighting installation experienced exclusively through Zoom. Viewers remotely explore an island of iridescent lights that react in real time to their voices, creating a sense of direct connection with a distant physical space. The project was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to in-person art experiences was limited.

AwardRed Dot Award: Design Concept 2021 “Best of the Best”

Conference
Lee, C., Kim, M., & Kim, H.* (2021). Isle of reflections. In ACM SIGGRAPH 2021 Art Gallery (pp. 1-3).

1/4    Quasar 1995, Magna Corporis
2/4    Quasar 1995, Magna Corporis
3/4    Quasar 1995, Magna Corporis
4/4    Quasar 1995, Magna Corporis