SpaceTop Research Center
At SpaceTop Research Center, we are researching HCI problems and developing technologies for the next generation of Extended Reality (XR) platforms, bridging the gap between the current XR platforms and the daily productivity needs of future computer users.
Our Vision
While XR technologies have historically focused on entertainment, education, and training, our center envisions integrating XR into everyday productivity tasks, enabling applications that users need for prolonged and consistent usage throughout their daily lives. Global tech giants like Apple, Meta, and Microsoft already foresee a future where XR platforms are integral to all forms of work, emphasizing the mobility and versatility of virtual environments that transcend traditional office spaces.
Our Mission
The SpaceTop Research Center aims to make XR platforms a ubiquitous part of daily life by addressing the current technological shortcomings and developing new interaction techniques that allow for natural and intuitive manipulation of 3D objects and environments. This initiative, named after our concept “SpaceTop,” focuses on providing seamless productivity across various contexts—whether at a café, in transit, or any remote location.
Research Focus
Natural Spatial Interfaces for SpaceTop: We focus on enhancing user interaction within XR environments through multimodal sensing, pointing, and haptic feedback. Our research includes developing systems that adapt to various environments via posture recognition, employing multi-modal pointing and input techniques using a range of wearable devices. We aim to create advanced input technologies like wearable haptic systems and precise finger input via raycasting.
Novel Interaction Devices for SpaceTop: We are innovating three types of interaction devices tailored for productivity applications in XR. These include a touchpad-like device usable in any posture, a ring-shaped device allowing touchscreen interactions from a distance, and an open haptic glove that combines physical touch sensations with virtual haptic feedback to enhance user experience.
Collaboration Support Interfaces for SpaceTop: Our work includes developing interfaces and interaction methods that facilitate smooth collaboration between SpaceTop users and non-users. Enhancements in situation awareness and interference control are also researched to support cooperative work in shared spaces, leveraging graph-based spatial object placement and generative AI for intuitive 3D content creation.
Daily Use Technologies for SpaceTop: We explore the spectrum of XR and metaverse adaptations to emphasize safety and inclusivity in everyday contexts. Our projects aim to overcome challenges like sensory dissonance and the gap between real and virtual information, extending XR productivity into commuting environments, creating natural XR usage settings for the elderly, and improving traditional remote learning setups.
Future Prospects
SpaceTop is not just a platform but a vision for the future where XR can expand the user base dramatically, much like how smartphones evolved from PDAs by integrating essential applications like communication. We anticipate that SpaceTop will catalyze the widespread adoption of XR by making it an indispensable tool for productivity anywhere and anytime.
Contact Us
Welcome to the SpaceTop Research Center located at KAIST. We encourage inquiries and visits from academic collaborators, prospective students, and those interested in learning more about our research initiatives.
Center Location
SpaceTop Research Center
KAIST Main Campus
Building N1, 9th Floor
Daedeok Science Town, Daejeon, South Korea
Contact Information
Administrative Office:
Email: jy10738_at_kaist.ac.kr
Phone: +82 42 350 7804
Director:
Email: geehyuk_at_kaist.ac.kr
Phone: +82 42 350 3557
For more information about our projects, or to schedule a visit, please contact us through the details provided above. We look forward to connecting with you and exploring potential collaborations.