Suranga Chandima NANAYAKKARA
Associate Professor- PhD, National University of Singapore
- BEng, National University of Singapore
Suranga Nanayakkara is an Associate Professor at the Department of Information Systems & Analytics, School of Computing, National University of Singapore (NUS). Before joining NUS, Suranga worked as an Associate Professor at Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland. Prior to that, he was with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) as an Assistant Professor and was also a Postdoctoral Associate at the MIT Media Lab. He received his PhD in 2010 and BEng in 2005 from the National University of Singapore. In 2011, he founded the "Augmented Human Lab" to explore ways of designing intelligent human-computer interfaces that extend the limits of our perceptual and cognitive capabilities. Suranga's work is most important to the people whose lives it most directly impacts: those who face challenges functioning in our world due to sensory deficits in hearing or vision. More importantly, the technologies that Suranga has developed is not only applicable to those specific communities but potentially has a broader range of applications, due to his emphasis on “enabling”, rather than “fixing". Suranga is a Senior Member of ACM and has taken on a number of roles, including General Chair of Augmented Human Conference in 2015. He was also appointed to many review and program committees including SIG CHI, TEI and UIST. With publications in prestigious conferences, demonstrations, patents, media coverage and real-world deployments, Suranga has demonstrated the potential of advancing state of the art technology in Assistive Human-Computer Interfaces. For the totality and breadth of his achievements, he has won many awards including MIT TechReview's Young Inventor Under 35 award (TR35) in the Asia Pacific region, the Outstanding Young Persons of Sri Lanka (TOYP) award, and INK Fellowship 2016.
RESEARCH AREAS
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Human Computer Interaction, Assistive Augmentation, Design Science Research, Assistive Technologies
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Designing Intelligent Human-computer Interfaces to Extend Cognitive Capabilities
This project investigates Assistive Augmentation, aiming to design intelligent human-computer interfaces that expand our perceptual and cognitive abilities. It focuses on two areas: developing AI assistants that work in symbiosis with the human brain to enhance rational thinking and decision-making, and exploring how wearable devices can augment different cognitive systems.
Investigating the Use of Productive Failure as a Design Paradigm for Learning Computational Thinking: A T-2-L (Technology to Learner) Approach
This project addresses the demand for Computational Thinking (CT) skills in K-12 education. It seeks to innovate CT learning experiences through evidence-based Productive Failure theory and develop an unobtrusive data collection framework using consumer devices to enhance understanding and validation of learning processes in programming classrooms.
iTILES: Independent Living, Tile by Tile
iTILES is a playware system that combines interactive tiles, mobile apps, and data analytics to improve users' functional and cognitive abilities through engaging gameplay. It collects data through multi-sensory inputs and provides therapists and users with actionable insights to optimize their rehabilitation journey.
Virtual Reality Simulator Sickness Project - Phase 2
This project aims to analyze and predict VR simulator sickness by collecting gameplay data through an extended VRHook tool. A Human-centered Explainable AI system trained on this data will assist VR developers by providing insights to minimize the risk of simulator sickness in their content.
Augmented Awareness through Scene Sonification
People with visual impairments (PVI) struggle with spatial awareness due to a lack of awareness of distant scenes. While existing technologies sonify individual objects for near-field awareness, the study explores the usability of AI-generated sounds for communicating far-field scenes to the blind, aiming to enhance spatial awareness and orientation for PVI.
RESEARCH GROUPS
Augmented Human Lab
The vision of the Augmented Human Lab is to humanise technology. We design intelligent human computer interfaces that feel like natural extensions of our bodies & minds, with the aim of extending the limits of our perceptual and cognitive capabilities.
TEACHING INNOVATIONS
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Scratch and Sense: Using Real-Time Sensor Data to Motivate Students Learning Scratch
- TickleFoot: Design, Development and Evaluation of a Novel Foot-tickling Mechanism that Can Evoke Laughter
- StressShoe: A DIY Toolkit for just-in-time Personalised Stress Interventions for Office Workers Performing Sedentary Tasks
- Sensor-Based Interactive Worksheets to Support Guided Scientific Inquiry
- OM: A Comprehensive Tool to Elicit Subjective Vibrotactile Expressions Associated with Contextualised Meaning in Our Everyday Lives
- KinVoices: Using Voices of Friends and Family in Voice Interfaces
- Jammify: Interactive Multi-Sensory System for Digital Art Jamming
- ClothTiles: A Prototyping Platform to Fabricate Customized Actuators on Clothing using 3D Printing and Shape-Memory Alloys
- Augmented Foot: A Comprehensive Survey of Augmented Foot Interfaces
- ANISMA: A Prototyping Toolkit to Explore Haptic Skin Deformation Applications Using Shape-Memory Alloys
- A Review of Recent Deep Learning Approaches in Human-Centered Machine Learning
- Touch me Gently: Recreating the Perception of Touch using a Shape-Memory Alloy Matrix
- StressFoot: Uncovering the Potential of the Foot for Acute Stress Sensing in Sitting Posture
- Ready, Steady, Touch!: Sensing Physical Contact with a Finger-Mounted IMU
- Prompto: Investigating Receptivity to Prompts Based on Cognitive Load from Memory Training Conversational Agent
- Next Steps in Human-Computer Integration
- Multimodal Emotion Recognition With Transformer-Based Self Supervised Feature Fusion
- MAGHair: A Wearable System to Create Unique Tactile Feedback by Stimulating Only the Body Hair
- AiSee: An Assistive Wearable Device to Support Visually Impaired Grocery Shoppers
- ProspecFit: In Situ Evaluation of Digital Prospective Memory Training for Older Adults
- M-Hair: Creating Novel Tactile Feedback by Augmenting the Body Hair to Respond to Magnetic Field
- GymSoles: Improving Squats and Dead-Lifts by Visualizing the User’s Centre of Pressure
- ChewIt. An Intraoral Interface for Discreet Interactions
- GestAKey: Touch Interaction on Individual Keycaps
- FingerReader2.0: Designing and Evaluating a Wearable Finger-WornCamera to Assist People with Visual Impairments while Shopping
- Assistive Augmentation
- ArmSleeve: A Patient Monitoring System to Support Occupational Therapists in Stroke Rehabilitation
- zSense: Enabling Shallow Depth Gesture Recognition for Greater Input Expressivity on Smart Wearables
- FingerReader: A Wearable Device to Explore Printed Text on the Go
- Digital Digits: A Comprehensive Survey of Finger Augmentation Devices
- BWard: An Optical Approach for Reliable in-situ Early Blood Leakage Detection at Catheter Extraction Points
- EarPut: Augmenting Ear-worn Devices for Ear-based Interaction
- StickEar: Making Everyday Objects Respond to Sound
- Enhancing Musical Experience for the Hearing-impaired using Visual and Haptic Displays
AWARDS & HONOURS
Excellence in Graduate Supervision: Awarded by Auckland Bioengineering Institute, in recognition of outstanding achievements across the various dimensions of excellence in supervision
Excellence in Research Translation: Awarded by Auckland Bioengineering Institute, in recognition of Project Kiwrious
Best Short Paper Award at the 20th ACM Conference on Interaction Design and Children (IDC21)
Silver Award (Public Good) by Designers Institute of New Zealand, Best Design Awards In recognition of project Kiwrious
Bronze Award (Value of Design) by Designers Institute of New Zealand, Best Design Awards In recognition of project Kiwrious
Bronze Award (User Experience) by Designers Institute of New Zealand, Best Design AwardsIn recognition of project Kiwrious
Good Design Award Winner (Social Impact Category), Good Design Awards by Good Design Australia In recognition of the project Kiwrious.
Honorable Mention (APAC Category), World Changing Ideas Awards by FastCompany In recognition of the project Kiwrious
Finalist (Education Category), World Changing Ideas Awards by FastCompanyIn recognition of the project Kiwrious
Research Excellence Medal Awarded by University of Auckland, in recognition of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to one or more disciplines
Winner (Social Entrepreneurship Category), Velocity 100K Challenge, University of Auckland In recognition of the start-up Kiwrious Pvt Ltd
Gold Award (Lighting Design) by Designers Institute of New Zealand, Best Design Awards In recognition of project Pride in Lights
Gold Award (Exhibitions & Temporary Structures) by Designers Institute of New Zealand, Best Design Awards In recognition of project LightTank
Gold Award (Student Digital) by Designers Institute of New Zealand, Best Design Awards In recognition of research project Prospero
Silver Award (Student Digital) by Designers Institute of New Zealand, Best Design Awards In recognition of research project Jammify
Bronze Award (Student Spatial) by Designers Institute of New Zealand, Best Design Awards In recognition of research project Jammify
Bronze Award (Student Digital) by Designers Institute of New Zealand, Best Design Awards In recognition of research project GymSoles
Bronze Award (User Experience) by Designers Institute of New Zealand, Best Design Awards In recognition of project Maia
Winner (Best Design APAC Category), Innovation by Design Awards by FastCompany In recognition of the digital platform BadGood
Finalist (Apps and Games Category), Innovation by Design Awards by FastCompany In recognition of the digital platform BadGood
Finalist (Best Design APAC Category), Innovation by Design Awards by FastCompany In recognition of the research project Lemo
Honorable Mention (Experimental Category), Innovation by Design Awards by FastCompany In recognition of the research project Lemo
Honorable Mention (APAC Category), World Changing Ideas Awards by FastCompany In recognition of the research project M-Hair
Honorable Mention (Experimental Category), World Changing Ideas Awards by FastCompany In recognition of the research project M-Hair
Finalist (Student Category), World Changing Ideas Awards by FastCompany In recognition of the research project M-Hair
Honorable Mention (Student Category), World Changing Ideas Awards by FastCompany In recognition of the research project Prospero
Public Good Award (Gold) by Designers Institute of New Zealand, Best Design Awards In recognition of research project MussBits
Honorable Mention (Student Category), Innovation By Design Award by FastCompany In recognition of the research project MussBits
Finalist (Best Design APAC Category), Innovation By Design Award by FastCompany In recognition of the research project ChewIt
Finalist (Experimental Category), Innovation By Design Award by FastCompany In recognition of the research project ChewIt
Finalist (Student Category), Innovation By Design Award by FastCompany In recognition of the research project ChewIt
Honorable Mention (General Excellence Category), Innovation By Design Award by FastCompany In recognition of the research project ChewIt
Peoples choice award of Discovery video competition by Royal Society Te Aprangi In recognition of the video of FingerReader
Finalist, World Changing Ideas Award by FastCompany In recognition of the research project FingerReader
Best Short Paper Award at WOAR Conference 2018
Finalist, D&AD Impact Awards by D&AD In recognition of the research project FingerReader
Finalist, Golden Pin Design Awards by Taiwan Design Center In recognition of the research project FingerReader
Best Short Paper Award at Augmented Human Conference 2017
Excellence in Research Awarded by Singapore University of Technology & Design, in recognition of research excellence over a period of time with impact in scholarly field, interdisciplinary contributions across fields, broader impact to society, translation to practice, commercialisation, and teaching practice
INK Fellow Awarded by INK, which is India’s foremost platform for the exchange of cutting-edge ideas and inspiring stories
Most Promising Technology Award Awarded for the Project zSense at InnoveFest unBound, South East Asia’s largest innovation festival
Singapore Design Award (Product - Gold Category) Awarded for the Project FingerReader by Design Business Chamber Singapore
Steve Howard Award for Best Paper at the 27th Annual CHISGI Australian Computer-Human Interaction Conference
The Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Sri Lanka (TOYP) award An award given by Junior Chamber International Sri Lanka for outstanding achievement in Scientific and Technological Development
Young Innovator under 35 (MIT TR35) award Asia Pacific region An award given by MIT Technology Review for top young innovators under the age of 35
Best Paper at the 25th Annual CHISGI Australian Computer-Human Interaction Conference
Finalist, Singapore Challenge, GYSS’14 In recognition of the white paper ‘Smart adaptive interfaces for ageing gracefully’ submitted to Global Young Scientist Summit
NUS Research Scholarship A full scholarship awarded by the National University of Singapore to pursue Doctoral research
Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the year Awarded in recognition of outstanding contribution towards the promotion of cricket in the National University of Singapore
Engineering Dean’s List of Excellence Awarded by National University of Singapore in recognition of the outstanding academic results
NUS Undergraduate Scholarship A full scholarship awarded by the National University of Singapore to pursue undergraduate studies
Best Student of the College (academic) Awarded by Royal College, Sri Lanka in recognition of the best overall academic results in all academic streams in the school and GCE A level Examination results
MODULES TAUGHT
IS3251
Principles of Technology Entrepreneurship
IS5006
Human-Centred Intelligent Systems