Academic Specialist Shoko Kimura awarded SIGGRAPH AWARD in Laval Virtual 2023

On 12th April 2023, Academic Specialist Shoko Kimura's Inclusive Quiet Room research project has received the SIGGRAPH AWARD at Laval Virtual 2023. The research work has been selected as an invited piece for SIGGRAPH 2023, which will be held this summer, 2023.

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Laval Virtual 2023 Award

This year, at the 25th anniversary of Laval Virtual 2023, the largest VR competition in Europe (with an acceptance rate of approximately 30% and around 10,000 participants), we received the SIGGRAPH AWARD in the Award category. This work has been selected as an invited piece for SIGGRAPH 2023, the world's premier international conference on computer graphics and technology, specifically in the Emerging Technology section (with an acceptance rate of approximately 20%). It has been confirmed that the exhibition and presentation of this work will take place in Los Angeles, USA, this summer, in 2023.

  Information Website: https://laval-virtual.com/en/award-winners-2023/

About awarded research

"Inclusive Quiet Room -for building an inclusive society-"
For individuals with mental disorders such as autism and developmental disabilities, sensory sensitivities often create barriers and challenging situations in their social lives. However, in Japan, public facilities lack designated spaces for individuals with sensory sensitivities to manage themselves, and there is a particular lack of support for people with mental disabilities. This is a pressing issue that needs attention. Therefore, there is a need for "Quiet Rooms" to help alleviate panic symptoms.

It is estimated that there are approximately 580,000 individuals with sensory sensitivities throughout Japan. A Quiet Room is a space designed to be dimly lit, with seating options such as chairs or sofas. When experiencing states of excitement or stress, entering a darkened space can help suppress panic and provide relief.

Your impression & future plan
　This research project is a product created with the intention of using technology to assist with our own sensory hypersensitivity, with the hope of enabling individuals with disabilities to live more comfortably in society. It is truly a dream come true to have the opportunity to exhibit at SIGGRAPH, and I am incredibly delighted.

This work was developed and exhibited as part of a media art class called Tokyo University Production Exhibition. I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Takeshi Namamura and others who supported us during the exhibition.

I am grateful to the members of SEKISUI HOUSE KUMA LAB and T-BOX users who consistently understand and support our research. I would also like to thank the professors from the Department of Architecture and other departments who have provided their encouragement. I extend my appreciation to our collaborative researchers, Kiyo Fujii, Kenichi Ito, and Satoshi Tsuboi, as well as Kyo Kojima, who provided music from Vienna. To everyone who has contributed to the development of this project and to all those who have always supported us, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks.

In particular, I would like to thank Professor Keisuke Kitagawa from Nagoya Institute of Technology for their assistance in utilizing the Instant House, as well as everyone at LIFLE ArchTech Co., Ltd. for their support. I am also grateful to RAGOM Japan Co., Ltd. for providing the chain blankets and Yogibo Co., Ltd. for supplying the bead cushions. We will continue to dedicate ourselves to daily research and strive for improvement. Thank you very much.