A paper from NTT selected for UIST2026, the most challenging conference in the field of human-computer interaction

A paper submitted by NTT Laboratories was selected for the ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST), the world's premier international conference in the field of human-computer interaction (HCI), to be held in Detroit, Michigan, USA, from November 2, 2026 to November 5. This conference brings together cutting-edge research results on user interface and interactive technologies from around the world, and presents a wide range of research that opens up the next generation of human-computer interaction, including new input-output technologies, sensing, haptics, AR/VR, and human-centered AI.

Abbreviated names of the laboratories:
HI: Human Informatics Labs., NTT, Inc.

■RampEMS: Onset Shaping for Stroke-Stable Pressure Modulation in Calligraphy

Arinobu Niijima (HI), Yixin Peng (The University of Tokyo), Chanho Park (The University of Tokyo), Takefumi Ogawa (The University of Tokyo)

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is a technology that applies electrical stimulation through electrodes placed on the skin to induce muscle contractions, thereby directly influencing body movement and force. EMS is promising as an interaction technology for supporting a wide range of physical activities; however, abruptly applied stimulation can cause unintended movements. In this study, we propose "RampEMS," which gradually increases the stimulation at onset. Experiments in calligraphy demonstrated its ability to modulate brush pressure while reducing stroke perturbations compared with a conventional stimulation method, as well as improving usability and reducing workload. In the future, RampEMS is expected to enable a wide range of interactions that support the body without disrupting delicate voluntary movements, including applications in drawing and tool manipulation.