Immersive Computing for Touch Research Laboratory 

The Immersive Computing for Touch Lab (ICTL), also known as the Haptic Research Lab, is located within the Department of Computer Science at Kent State University in Kent, OH. The lab is dedicated to advancing the science and engineering in haptic (touch) technology through interdisciplinary research spanning human perception, immersive systems, and intelligent interaction.

Our research focuses on:

• Realistic haptic feedback for 2D or 3D touch environments

• Touch perception and psychophysics to understand human tactile processing

• Usability and user expereince (UI/US) study design for efficient multi-modal (visual-haptic) interaction using wearable and non-wearable haptic devices

• Development of immersive 3D interaction applications for medical simulation, motor rehabiliation, or healthcare education

• AI models that analyze and enhance touch interactions and motor function

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 interaction technologies for 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 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.

Selected Publications:

• Mahmood, N., Bektic, M., Li, C., Ridgel, A., and Kim, K. (2025) Investigating the effectiveness of haptic resistive force feedback to improve tremors in Parkinson’s disease: A training impact study, IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics (JBHI; IF:6.7), doi: 10.1109/JBHI.2025.3644234. . 

• Woo, J., Kim, J.W., Kim, K., Jarzembak, J., James, A., Biggs, J., Dunlosky, J., Clements, R. (2025) Enhancing IV needle insertion training with a bimanual haptic VR simulator: development, usability, and learning impact, IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, vol. 18, pp. 769-782, 2025, doi: 10.1109/TLT.2025.3592579. 

• Kirby, J. and Kim, K. (2025) Design and evaluation of haptic glove-based text inputs in virtual reality,  IEEE 25th International Conference on Digital Signal Processing (DSP) 2025, 25-27 June, 2025, Costa Navarino, Messinia, Greece. 

• Mahmood, N., Anello, A., Kim, J., Kim, K., Smith, B., Ridgel, A. (2024), Haptic-enhanced mixed reality for upper limb rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease, IEEE 46th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC 2024), pp 1-5, July 15-19, Orlando, FL (The EMBC Nextgen Scholar Award)

• Kim, J., Woo, J., Kim, K., Jarzembak, J., James, A., Biggs, J., Clements, R., Dunlosky, J. (2024), Enhancing IV insertion skill training: Integrating bimanual haptic feedback in mixed reality, IEEE 46th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC 2024), pp 1-4, July 15-19, Orlando, FL. 

• Bektic, M., Smith, B., Ridgel, A., Kim, K. (2024) Virtual reality game with haptic feedback for upper limb rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease, IEEE 46th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC 2024), pp 1-4, July 15-19, Orlando, FL.

• Kim, J., Jarzembak, J., and Kim, K. (2023) Bimanual intravenous needle insertion simulation using nonhomogeneous haptic device integrated into mixed reality, Sensors, 23(15), 6697-6717, July 2023.

• Kim, J., Jeong, H., DeMeo, D., Carroll, B., Kim, K. (2022) Immersive haptic interface simulating skin biopsy to train medical students and professionals, IEEE 8th International Conference of the Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN) 2022, pp 1-8, May 30-June 4, 2022, Vienna, Austria (Best Full Academic Paper Award) 

• Gi, S., Joeng J., Kim, K., Kim, G., & Jin, S. H. (2020) Bias stress instability in multi-layered MoS2 field effect transistors under pulse mode operation, IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, 67(4), 1864-1872, Apr 2020.   

• Han, B. & Kim, K. (2015). Typing performance evaluation with multimodal soft keyboard completely integrated in commercial mobile devices. Journal on Multimodal User Interfaces, 9(3), 173-181.

• Kim, K. Kim, J., Choi, J., Kim, J. & Lee, S. (2015). Depth Camera Based 3D Hand Gesture Controls with Immersive Tactile Feedback for Natural Mid-air Gesture Interactions. Sensors, 15(1), 1022-1046.

• Han, B., Kim, K., Yatani, K., Tan, H. Z. (2014). TextEntry Performance Evaluation on Haptic Soft QWERTY Keyboard in Tablet Devices. IEEE Proceedings of the EuroHaptics. pp. 325-332, Versailes, France. 

• Kim, K. Barni, M., & Tan, H. Z. (2010). Roughness-adaptive 3D Watermarking Based on Masking Effect of Surface Roughness. IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, 5(4), 721-733. 

• Cholewiak, S. A., Kim, K., Tan, H. Z., & Adelstein, B. D. (2010). A Frequency-Domain Analysis of Haptic Gratings. IEEE Transactions on Haptics, 3(1), 3-14. 

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: 

• Haptics with virtual reality: C++, C#, physics engine or game engine (Unity), computer graphics (3D rendering), strong math background (linear algebra), statistics for user studies, OpenXR for Mixed Reality

• Immersive user interface for haptics and/or virtual reality: C++, C, UX design, statistics for user studies, OpenXR, Chai3D (optional), fast prototyping (3D printing, wearable interface design, etc.)

• Image-based haptic rendering: image processing, graphic rendering with OpenGL, Chai3D, OpenCV, Strong math background (linear algebra, estimation), optimization

• Embedded haptics: C, C++, Matlab, microprocessor programming (AtMega or Arduino), system programming (RTOS, Linux), fast prototyping (circuit, 3D printing), digital signal processing, actuator and motor controls, O-Scope, VR programming (optional)

• Haptic and vision perception: C++, Psychophysics, experiment design, statistics for user studies, additional programming skills for VR if needed

• Deep learning-based haptics: C++, Python, machine/deep learning, strong math background, Linux programming, GPU programming, computer vision (optional)  

• Immersive game development: C++, C#, Game Engine experience such as Unity or Unreal, GPU programming (optional)

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 2024, Kent State is 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". 

Some Demo Videos Introducing Our Research