A Preliminary Investigation of Human Augmentation for Inclusive Design Education: Exploring Left-Handed Experience Simulation Effects

Daigo Misaki; Sam Hong; Hideaki Takanobu

doi:10.20965/jrm.2026.p0142

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JRM Vol.38 No.1 pp. 142-151

(2026)

doi: 10.20965/jrm.2026.p0142

Paper:

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A Preliminary Investigation of Human Augmentation for Inclusive Design Education: Exploring Left-Handed Experience Simulation Effects

Daigo Misaki , Sam Hong, and Hideaki Takanobu

Kogakuin University
1-24-2 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-8677, Japan

Received:

July 10, 2025

Accepted:

December 8, 2025

Published:

February 20, 2026

Keywords:

human augmentation, inclusive design, minority experience simulation, design education

Abstract

Inclusive design requires empathy for users with diverse needs, yet designers often find it difficult to consider perspectives and needs they have not personally experienced. This study investigated whether simulating left-handedness through human augmentation could enhance design awareness and reduce unconscious bias. The “left-handed experience device,” a wearable robot that simulates left-handedness by mirroring right-handed movements, was developed. Engineering students were divided into three groups: (1) no information about left-handedness, (2) explanation of left-handedness, and (3) experiential learning using the device. Each group conducted product redesign tasks focusing on usability and inclusivity using everyday tools such as calipers and kitchen tools. Design outcomes were evaluated using a self-assessment rubric. The group that used the device (Group 3) demonstrated higher awareness and generated more inclusive and symmetrical designs. Participants also reported increased confidence and empathy toward minority users. These results suggest that human augmentation can serve as a valuable educational tool for fostering inclusive design thinking. While experiential learning was effective in raising awareness, sustainable behavioral change remains a challenge.

Cite this article as:

D. Misaki, S. Hong, and H. Takanobu, “A Preliminary Investigation of Human Augmentation for Inclusive Design Education: Exploring Left-Handed Experience Simulation Effects,” J. Robot. Mechatron., Vol.38 No.1, pp. 142-151, 2026.

Data files:

References

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[2] C. Goldin and C. Rouse, “Orchestrating impartiality: The impact of ‘blind’ auditions on female musicians,” American Economic Review, Vol.90, No.4, pp. 715-741, 2000. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.90.4.715
[3] M. Bertrand and S. Mullainathan, “Are Emily and Greg more employable than Lakisha and Jamal? A field experiment on labor market discrimination,” American Economic Review, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 991-1013, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1257/0002828042002561
[4] L. Suyu-Tattoa, “Lived experiences of left handed students in a right handed academic world,” Int. J. of Advanced Research in Management and Social Sciences, Vol.5, No.6, pp. 426-433, 2016.
[5] M. Botvinick and J. Cohen, “Rubber hands ‘feel’ touch that eyes see,” Nature, Vol.391, No.6669, Article No.756, 1998. https://doi.org/10.1038/35784
[6] D. Misaki, S. Hong, and M. Inoue, “Analyzing the effectiveness of diversity experiences in the classroom for design education,” Clive L. Dym. Mudd. Design Workshop (Harvey Mudd College), 2023.
[7] D. Misaki and K. Arai, “Practice of school education using micro robots and verification of its effectiveness,” J. Robot. Mechatron., Vol.23, No.5, pp. 709-716, 2011. https://doi.org/10.20965/jrm.2011.p0709
[8] D. Misaki, R. Kurokawa, S. Nakajima, and S. Koshimizu, “Use of AR/VR in micro manipulation support system for recognition of monocular microscopic images,” Int. J. Automation Technol., Vol.5, No.6, pp. 866-874, 2011. https://doi.org/10.20965/ijat.2011.p0866
[9] T. Koike, X. Ge, and D. Misaki, “Proposal for engineering education on the design of autonomous vehicles: A pilot study considering campus locations,” Adjunct Proc. 16th Int. Conf. Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications (AutomotiveUI Adjunct ’24), 2024. https://doi.org/10.1145/3641308.3685024
[10] S. Grimaldi, V. W. K. Lai, M. Shailendra, and Y. Zheng, “Inclusive design framework: EDI in the workplace actions and implementations,” University of the Arts London, 2024. https://doi.org/10.58129/kn1n-m289
[11] D. A. Kolb, “Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development,” Prentice Hall, 1984.
[12] J. Rekimoto, “A new you: From augmented reality to augmented human,” Proc. 9th ACM Int. Conf. Interactive Tabletops and Surfaces (ITS ’14), 2014. https://doi.org/10.1145/2669485.2670531
[13] D. Prattichizzo, M. Malvezzi, I. Hussain, and G. Salvietti, “The sixth-finger: A modular extra-finger to enhance human hand capabilities,” Proc. IEEE Int. Symp. Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN), pp. 993-998, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2014.6926382
[14] S. Hendriks, B. B. Hasanen, N. Afzal, I. Hussain, and M. Obaid, “Enhancing functional and extra motor abilities: A focus group study on the re-design of an extra-robotic finger,” Proc. 33rd IEEE Int. Conf. Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN), pp. 667-673, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1109/RO-MAN60168.2024.10731448
[15] J. Nishida, S. Matsuda, H. Matsui, S.-Y. Teng, Z. Liu, K. Suzuki, and P. Lopes, “HandMorph: A passive exoskeleton that miniaturizes grasp,” Proc. 33rd Annual ACM Symp. User Interface Software and Technology (UIST ’20), pp. 565-578, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1145/3379337.3415875
[16] M. Kouprie and F. Sleeswijk Visser, “A framework for empathy in design: Stepping into and out of the user’s life,” J. of Engineering Design, Vol.20, No.5, pp. 437-448, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1080/09544820902875033
[17] J. Nielsen and T. K. Landauer, “A mathematical model of the finding of usability problems,” Proc. INTERACT ’93 and CHI ’93 Conf. Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 206-213, 1993. https://doi.org/10.1145/169059.169166

This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationa License.

[1] [1] D. A. Norman and S. W. Draper, “User centered system design; New perspectives on human-computer interaction,” Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc., 1986.

[2] [2] C. Goldin and C. Rouse, “Orchestrating impartiality: The impact of ‘blind’ auditions on female musicians,” American Economic Review, Vol.90, No.4, pp. 715-741, 2000. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.90.4.715

[3] [3] M. Bertrand and S. Mullainathan, “Are Emily and Greg more employable than Lakisha and Jamal? A field experiment on labor market discrimination,” American Economic Review, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 991-1013, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1257/0002828042002561

[4] [4] L. Suyu-Tattoa, “Lived experiences of left handed students in a right handed academic world,” Int. J. of Advanced Research in Management and Social Sciences, Vol.5, No.6, pp. 426-433, 2016.

[5] [5] M. Botvinick and J. Cohen, “Rubber hands ‘feel’ touch that eyes see,” Nature, Vol.391, No.6669, Article No.756, 1998. https://doi.org/10.1038/35784

[6] [6] D. Misaki, S. Hong, and M. Inoue, “Analyzing the effectiveness of diversity experiences in the classroom for design education,” Clive L. Dym. Mudd. Design Workshop (Harvey Mudd College), 2023.

[7] [7] D. Misaki and K. Arai, “Practice of school education using micro robots and verification of its effectiveness,” J. Robot. Mechatron., Vol.23, No.5, pp. 709-716, 2011. https://doi.org/10.20965/jrm.2011.p0709

[8] [8] D. Misaki, R. Kurokawa, S. Nakajima, and S. Koshimizu, “Use of AR/VR in micro manipulation support system for recognition of monocular microscopic images,” Int. J. Automation Technol., Vol.5, No.6, pp. 866-874, 2011. https://doi.org/10.20965/ijat.2011.p0866

[9] [9] T. Koike, X. Ge, and D. Misaki, “Proposal for engineering education on the design of autonomous vehicles: A pilot study considering campus locations,” Adjunct Proc. 16th Int. Conf. Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications (AutomotiveUI Adjunct ’24), 2024. https://doi.org/10.1145/3641308.3685024

[10] [10] S. Grimaldi, V. W. K. Lai, M. Shailendra, and Y. Zheng, “Inclusive design framework: EDI in the workplace actions and implementations,” University of the Arts London, 2024. https://doi.org/10.58129/kn1n-m289

[11] [11] D. A. Kolb, “Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development,” Prentice Hall, 1984.

[12] [12] J. Rekimoto, “A new you: From augmented reality to augmented human,” Proc. 9th ACM Int. Conf. Interactive Tabletops and Surfaces (ITS ’14), 2014. https://doi.org/10.1145/2669485.2670531

[13] [13] D. Prattichizzo, M. Malvezzi, I. Hussain, and G. Salvietti, “The sixth-finger: A modular extra-finger to enhance human hand capabilities,” Proc. IEEE Int. Symp. Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN), pp. 993-998, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2014.6926382

[14] [14] S. Hendriks, B. B. Hasanen, N. Afzal, I. Hussain, and M. Obaid, “Enhancing functional and extra motor abilities: A focus group study on the re-design of an extra-robotic finger,” Proc. 33rd IEEE Int. Conf. Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN), pp. 667-673, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1109/RO-MAN60168.2024.10731448

[15] [15] J. Nishida, S. Matsuda, H. Matsui, S.-Y. Teng, Z. Liu, K. Suzuki, and P. Lopes, “HandMorph: A passive exoskeleton that miniaturizes grasp,” Proc. 33rd Annual ACM Symp. User Interface Software and Technology (UIST ’20), pp. 565-578, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1145/3379337.3415875

[16] [16] M. Kouprie and F. Sleeswijk Visser, “A framework for empathy in design: Stepping into and out of the user’s life,” J. of Engineering Design, Vol.20, No.5, pp. 437-448, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1080/09544820902875033

[17] [17] J. Nielsen and T. K. Landauer, “A mathematical model of the finding of usability problems,” Proc. INTERACT ’93 and CHI ’93 Conf. Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 206-213, 1993. https://doi.org/10.1145/169059.169166