This project proposes the use of an interactive graphical editor to give instructions to robots for folding garments in a household environment. This editor allows the user to specify instructions by performing simple editing operations (clicking and dragging) in order to teach the robot how to uniquely fold clothes.
Potential Future Use:
This technology provides a glimpse into the future for improving the living conditions of consumer users, or greatly improving the efficiency of industrial users.

Pull-Navi
Yuichiro Kojima, Yuki Hashimoto, Shogo Fukushima, Hiroyuki Kajimoto - The University of Electro-Communications
While many tactile navigation systems have used hands or arms, we developed a novel, intuitive, instinctive and energy-efficient walk navigation interface that "pulls the ears," and confirmed that users were inevitably tempted to move in the pulled direction without experiencing pain or force. The device simply is worn on the ears and leads or lightly pulls the user in a desired direction.
Potential Future Use:
As the world becomes more and more computer-based, there is a growing need for assistive technologies to help those individuals with sight and hearing disabilities engage in an electronic world. The Pull-Navi navigation system can be used as a directional device to assist those with sight and hearing impairments or to enhance a virtual gaming experience.

Touchable Holography
Takayuki Hoshi, Masafumi Takahashi, Kei Nakatsuma, Hiroyuki Shinoda - The University of Tokyo
Mid-air displays are attracting a lot of attention as promising technologies in the field of digital signage and home TV, and many types of holographic displays are proposed and developed. Although we can "see" the projected images as if they are really floating in front of us, we cannot "touch" them because they are nothing but light. The objective here is adding tactile feedback to the hovering image in 3D free space.
Potential Future Use:
Tactile holograms have the potential to create a whole new environment for video games, education, or for advertising with the ability to add the element of touch to graphical displays in a real environment.

Virtualization Gate
Benjamin Petit, Thomas Dupeux, - INRIA; Jean-Denis Lesage - Grenoble Universities; Herve Mathieu - INRIA; Edmond Boyer - Grenoble Universities; Bruno Raffin - INRIA; Francois Faure - Grenoble Universities; Clement Menier, Florian Geffray - 4D View Solutions; Laurence Boissieux, Michael Adam, Florent Falipou - INRIA; Richard Broadbridge - 4D View Solutions
Virtualization Gate uses a multi-camera acquisition space coupled with the wearing of a head mounted display to immerse users in a virtual world. Your full body will be virtualized to enforce your presence in the ever-expanding world of social networking and allow intuitive interactions with virtual objects.
Potential Future Use:
With the ever increasing technology surrounding interactive and social networking, Virtualization Gate is a revolutionary technology that allows users to experience dynamic social networking in a virtual world.

For detailed information on the SIGGRAPH 2009 dynamically evolving program or to download a copy of the SIGGRAPH 2009 Preview Video visit www.siggraph.org/s2009.