Student Innovation Contest

Join the UIST Student Innovation Contest (SIC) 2025 and help shape the future of immersive interaction! In partnership with DataFeel, this year’s theme — “The Future of Feeling: Exploring the Frontiers of Multi-Modal Haptics” — invites students to imagine bold, forward-looking ideas that push the boundaries of how we experience the world through haptics. Whether you're designing for XR, AI, robotics, storytelling, or everyday interfaces, we’re looking for creative concepts that explore how multi-modal haptics can transform the way we connect, communicate, and feel. Bring your vision to life, meet fellow innovators, and compete for exciting prizes!

Submission deadline	Friday, July 18 → Friday, July 25, 2025 11:59 pm AoE (Extended)
Announcing selected teams	Friday, July 25 → Friday, August 1, 2025 11:59 pm AoE (Extended)
Camera-ready versions	Friday, August 1 → Friday, August 8, 2025 11:59 pm AoE (Extended)
Submission of project video	Friday, September 19, 2025 11:59 pm AoE
Presentation of the final demo	At the in-person UIST conference in BUSAN, September 28 - October 1, 2025

Submission Information

Eligibility

Current undergraduate and/or graduate students (MS or PhD)
Team size: the minimum team size is 2, and the maximum is 5

Submission Platform

All submission materials must be submitted electronically to PCS 2.0 before the submission deadline
All required materials must be submitted electronically to PCS by the deadline. In PCS, first click “Submissions” at the top of the page, from the dropdown menus for society, conference, and track select “SIGCHI”, “UIST 2025” and “UIST 2025 SIC”, respectively, and press “Go.” This track will be opened a few weeks before the submission deadline.

Submission Format and Length

Double-column, two pages maximum without references
For LaTeX authors, submissions should be made using the double-column format of the Overleaf template (example PDF) using \documentclass[sigconf]{acmart}.
For Word authors, submissions should be made using the double-column format of the Word template (example PDF).
The accepted abstract will be included in the adjunct proceedings and published in the ACM Digital Library

Anonymity

Not anonymous, include the author’s name and institution(s) on the submission

Selection Process

Juried by the UIST Student Innovation Contest chairs and invited panelists.
A maximum of 10 teams will be selected.

Presentation Format

At least one author is requested to present their demo during SIC sessions and to speak with conference attendees.

The DataFeel DevKit

The DataFeel DevKit is a complete starting point for your work during the UIST 2025 SIC Challenge. Each DevKit includes:

Four (4) DataFeel Dots, each operable to output combinations of vibration, heat, cold, and light toward skin responsive to a data source.
One wearable controller dubbed El Jefe™ includes a power source for the Dots and a wired or wireless connection to the data source.
Access to the SDK and related documentation.
Access Datafeel composer software, including free and paid options for developing new experiences.
Access to a custom LLM for coding support.
Access to a library of 3D print files for different types of 3D printable attachments, making it possible to wear the Dots and El Jefe in different arrangements.
Interconnecting hardware, such as cables and power adapters.

Each DataFeel Dot is a haptic technology operable to output a plurality of different feedback types, including:

A vibrotactile feedback output from a pair of LRAs operable to output 3g of vibrational force across a tunable spectrum of 100–300 Hz;
A visual feedback output from a full-spectrum light source, including 16 LEDs composed of 8 skin-facing LEDs and 8 side-facing LEDs; and
A thermal feedback from a TEC module operable to rapidly generate hot (~1.5°C/s) and cold (~0.75°C/s) within a range of ~15-45°C.

Various aspects of each Dot can be modified to affect its performance, such as by modifying its skin-contacting surface for attachment to a particular body part and/or adding an external heat sink for extended use or a wider range of outputs, such as ~5-45°C instead of ~15-45°C.

Each Dot is a multi-modal sensor device capable of outputting various types of data, including movement data from a 6-axis IMU for usage tracking and temperature data from a thermistor, enabling thermal feedback loops.

The Dots are connected via cables to one another and El Jefe for power and communication. Different sets of 15cm and 30cm cables are provided with each DevKit to accommodate different configurations.

El Jefe is a wireless controller and battery pack. It includes two (2) 18650 Batteries providing about one (1) hour of maximum power delivery for all 4 Dots, suggesting a run time of two or more (2+) hours of regular use. El Jefe includes hardware for USB-C or Bluetooth communication, Bluetooth MIDI plug and play capabilities, and USB-C charging, making it immediately operable with a variety of data sources.

SDK runs on Python or C# and includes a Unity Engine Plugin. Low-level and high-level engines are provided and can be easily integrated into virtually any system. For example, SDK has been used to create various haptic content or “haptic tracks” for use with music, video, books, AR/VR Headsets, Unity, GoDot, Digital Audio Workstations, MIDI Instruments (physical and electronic), OSC signals, JSON files, .CSV files, and more.

Each DevKit includes attachment elements operable with a Velcro watch strap to position the skin-facing surfaces of the Dots against the skin, making them immediately wearable for both initial testing and ongoing use.

Datafeel’s library of 3D print files can be used to create custom attachment elements for various configurations, allowing you to attach a Dot to any body part or insert it into another object. For example, their library includes 3D print files for attachment elements that are compatible with various watch straps, lockable into other structures, and optimized for attachment to skin using biocompatible adhesives.

To enable further customization, the library also includes 3D print files for El Jefe that you can customize as well.

You can find more detailed information about the Datafeel Dev Kit here: https://www.datafeel.com/dev-kit.

Uses and Projects

DataFeel can be used for various applications. In SIC, we are looking forward to various ideas, not limited to the suggestions below.

Vibrating devices for kinetic effects, like linear resonant actuators (LRAs) for video game controllers.
Optical devices for color-based effects, like LEDs for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) lamps.
Artificial touch, by using a combination of sensors and different haptic feedback, to replicate a missing finger’s ability to communicate with the brain.
Enhanced musical engagement.
Immersive storytelling, by adding complementary layers to book reading and/or location-based experiences, enhances user engagement.
Interactive merchandise, such as toys or stuffed animals, that simulate emotional responses to data.
Using XR, AI, Robotics, etc

Registration

To participate, please submit your proposal through PCS.

To complete your submission, you’ll need:

A description of your idea.
The team members with names and affiliations (the authors need PCS accounts for the submission)
The PDF document needs to be ACM Template with Double-Column Paper Format — the same as the full paper publication, but two pages max without references. You can use the double-column format of the Overleaf template using \documentclass[sigconf]{acmart}, or the Word template.
A PDF document that lists the modules needed for the project. The list will be used to customize and ship the toolkit.
An optional video that shows your idea and the concept
Any additional supporting materials (sketches, images, etc.) that help the submission are optional

For accepted teams, one of your team members MUST register for the UIST conference and pay the registration fee. If you’ve been accepted as a student volunteer, you can let us know as well.

Contest Rules, Details, and Suggestions

Pre-Selection Criteria: Organizers will select up to 10 teams, judged based on usefulness, creativity, complexity, feasibility, and time/resource constraints.
Maximum team size is 5, and you can’t be part of multiple teams!
Eligibility: You MUST be a student to participate in this contest. Students of all levels (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) are encouraged to participate.
Selected teams will be invited to an online meeting for an introductory training session on using the Datafeel Dev Kit.
Registration Requirement: If your team is accepted, at least one team member must register for the conference (or be accepted as a student volunteer). This is for three reasons: 1) you have to demo your idea at the in-person UIST event, 2) you have to claim your prizes, and 3) UIST is an awesome conference!
Demo Ideas: During the contest voting period, teams will be allowed to demo one idea. Different demos of the same idea are permitted.
Demo Safety: Safety is our utmost priority. Make sure your demos follow reasonable safety guidelines (i.e., don’t light anything on fire!)

Awards

Innovation comes in many forms. At UIST, we provide Student Innovation Contest awards for the following categories: Jury Awards (Most Useful Award and Most Creative Award) and People’s Choice (Attendee Votes). All selected teams get to keep the hardware kits (DataFeel Dev Kit) and a travel grant of up to $500, both proudly provided by DataFeel. Winners will win prizes and a UIST SIC certificate. Note that we reserve the right to change the awards structure during the contest.