Immersive Computing for Touch Lab 

Welcome to the Immersive Computing for Touch Lab (ICTL Research Lab) 

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, United States.

The Immersive Computing for Touch Lab (ICTL), also known as the Haptic Research Lab, is situated within the Department of Computer Science at Kent State University in Kent, OH. Established in August 2019, the lab is dedicated to advancing knowledge and innovation in haptic technology through a variety of research projects.

Our research encompasses:

We also focus on developing realistic tactile feedback for mobile devices (smartphones and tablets), wearable robots for rehabilitation, and wearable devices to assist the disabled. Our work extends to haptics-assisted medical imaging systems and human-computer interfaces designed to enhance touch sensation and feedback.

The ICTL Research Lab is committed to fostering interdisciplinary collaborations for both research and education. By working with industry leaders, academic institutions, and community organizations, we aim to address real-world challenges and provide tangible benefits to society. 

Vision: At ICTL, we are committed to pioneering advancements in haptic technology through cutting-edge research. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities locally and globally by developing innovative solutions that enhance the sense of touch. We strive to be leaders in world-class research, driving innovation and fostering positive change across society.

We envision a future where our haptic technologies bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds, creating immersive experiences that improve quality of life. By collaborating with industry leaders, academic institutions, and community organizations, we aim to address real-world challenges and provide tangible benefits to those in need.

Our dedication to excellence is reflected in our relentless pursuit of knowledge and our commitment to ethical research practices. We believe that through our work, we can inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers who are passionate about making a difference.

At ICTL, we are not just advancing technology; we are shaping a better tomorrow. Our vision is to create a world where everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can experience the profound impact of touch through our innovative solutions.


Designed by Jinwoo Kim (PhD student), September 2019

NEWS

For Prospective Graduate Students (No RA funding available)

Our lab always welcomes students who are enthusiastic and motivated to learn haptics associated with virtual reality, human perception, image processing, and human-computer interface while pursuing an MS or PhD degree. If you are a student enrolled in the CS department at Kent State, you are encouraged to contact Dr. Kwangtaek Kim to discuss your research interest and plan of study. Please send your CV (GPA, a list of courses taken, publications) and one-page research goal through email when you contact. If your research goal and direction fit our lab research, an in-person interview will be arranged. Research assistantships will be considered only when funding is available.

If you are an international student (outside of KSU), please send your CV (academic background, cumulative GPA, publications, a list of three contact information for references, English exam scores including GRE), SOP (no more than 2 pages), to Dr. Kim (kkim@cs.kent.edu).  You will be contacted for a conference call interview if you are eligible for a research assistant position in the lab. Funding is not always available. PLEASE  CONTACT ME ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED!  This review is a preprocessing to make sure you are eligible for a research assistantship in our lab. The official admission process must go through the KSU graduation school application website after this preprocessing interview.

You may directly apply for KSU CS graduate programs by clicking on this and then contact me once admitted. 

Skills and knowledge required for doing research in our lab: 

Kent State University (KSU) is a public research university in Kent, Ohio. The university also includes seven regional campuses in Northeast Ohio and additional facilities in the region and internationally. Regional campuses are located in Ashtabula, Burton, East Liverpool, Jackson Township, New Philadelphia, Salem, and Warren, Ohio, with additional facilities in Cleveland, Independence, and Twinsburg, Ohio as well as New York City, Florence (Italy), Geneva (Switzerland), Prague (Czech Republic).

The university was established in 1910 as a teacher-training school. The first classes were held in 1912 at various locations and in temporary buildings in Kent and the first buildings of the original campus opened the following year. Since then, the university has grown to include many additional baccalaureate and graduate programs of study in the arts and sciences, research opportunities, as well as over 1,000 acres (405 ha) and 119 buildings on the Kent campus.

As of 2021, Kent State was the third-largest university in Ohio with an enrollment of over 34,000 students in the eight-campus system and over 25,000 students at the main campus in Kent. Kent State offers over 300 degree programs, among them 250 baccalaureate, 40 associate, 50 master's, and 23 doctoral programs of study, which include such nationally notable programs as fashion design, nursing, business, history, library science, aeronautics, journalism, architecture, and the Liquid Crystal Institute which is a world-famous institute. It is classified by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as "R1: Doctoral Universities – very high research activity". 

The Computer Science Department is one of the largest departments at Kent State and has been growing fast in recent years. As of Fall 2023, 540 undergraduate students and 547 graduate students enrolled in the department are studying in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering and Science, Data Analytics, Computer Security, Robotics, Embedded Engineering, IoT, Game Programming, Graphics, Immersive Interface, Multimedia, Big Data, Quantum Computing, Data Mining, Healthcare, Image Processing, Geometric Computing, etc. The cultural backgrounds of the students are diverse due to many international students from different countries, creating a friendly and welcoming environment.

Kent is a suburb of Cleveland with a population of 29,811. Kent is in Portage County and is one of the best places to live in Ohio. Living in Kent offers residents an urban-suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Kent, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Kent and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Kent are highly rated. Kent is one of the safest areas in Ohio and the cost of living is very low. According to the FBI Uniform Crime Statistics report, Kent State has ranked the safest campuses in Ohio, based on the number of reported crimes. The university has been listed as the safest campus in Ohio for six of the last 10 years. 

Immersive Computing for Touch Lab: Mathematical Sciences Building (MSB)  355, 1300 Lefton Esplanade,  

Department of Computer Science, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242

Some Demo Videos Showing Our Research

Contact

Email:  kkim@cs.kent.edu,

Office: 330-672-9061