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Dr Don Samitha Elvitigala

Dr Don Samitha Elvitigala

Postdoctoral Fellow
Engineering
Computer Science and Engineering

Dr. Don Samitha Elvitigala recently completed his Ph.D. in human-computer interaction from Augmented Human Lab at Auckland Bioengineering Institute of the University of Auckland. During his Ph.D., he investigated novel wearable foot interfaces that can implicitly understand the physical and mental behaviours of humans. His has been published in premier peer-reviewed HCI conferences and journals, such as CHI, MobileHCI, UbiComp, ToCHI. Some of his publications were given honourable mention award in MobileHCI 2021 and the best student paper award in PETRA 2021, respectively. Also, the concept of his PhD dissertation was runner-up for the best presentation at the doctoral colloquium of UbiComp 2018.In UNSW, he works with Professor Aaron Quigley, focusing on developing novel  Wearable Discrete Computing Interfaces. His research interests include Human-Computer Interaction, Discreet Computing, Ubiquitous Computing, and Assistive Augmentation.
E-mail
s.elvitigala@unsw.edu.au
Location
Computer Science & Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Room 301-45, Level 3, Building K17 UNSW SYDNEY 2052
  • Book Chapters | 2021
    Muthukumarana S; Elvitigala DS; Wu Q; Pai YS; Nanayakkara S, 2021, 'Jammify: Interactive Multi-sensory System for Digital Art Jamming', in Ardito C; Lanzilotti R; Malizia A; Petrie H; Piccinno A; Desolda G; Inkpen K (ed.), , pp. 23 - 41, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85607-6_2
  • Journal articles | 2023
    Hu Y; Yeo HS; Yuan M; Fan H; Elvitigala DS; Hu W; Quigley A, 2023, 'MicroCam: Leveraging Smartphone Microscope Camera for Context-Aware Contact Surface Sensing', Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies, 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3610921
    Journal articles | 2022
    Elvitigala DS; Boldu R; Nanayakkara S; Matthies DJC, 2022, 'TickleFoot: Design, Development and Evaluation of a Novel Foot-Tickling Mechanism That Can Evoke Laughter', ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, 29, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3490496
    Journal articles | 2020
    Elvitigala DS; Matthies DJC; Nanayakkara S, 2020, 'Stressfoot: Uncovering the potential of the foot for acute stress sensing in sitting posture', Sensors (Switzerland), 20, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/s20102882
  • Conference Papers | 2024
    Wittchen D; Sabnis N; Nachtigall TR; Mueller FF; Strohmeier P; Elvitigala DS, 2024, 'Foot Augmentation 101: Design your own Augmented Experiences', in ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3623509.3634744
    Conference Papers | 2023
    Elvitigala DS; Wang Y; Hu Y; Quigley AJ, 2023, 'RadarFoot: Fine-grain Ground Surface Context Awareness for Smart Shoes', in UIST 2023 - Proceedings of the 36th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3586183.3606738
    Conference Papers | 2023
    Somarathna R; Elvitigala D; Yan Y; Quigley A; Mohammadi G, 2023, 'Exploring User Engagement in Immersive Virtual Reality Games through Multimodal Body Movements', New Zealand, presented at ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology (VRST), New Zealand, 09 October 2023, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3611659.3615687
    Conference Posters | 2022
    Elvitigala DS; Somarathna R; Yan Y; Mohammadi G; Quigley A, 2022, 'Towards using Involuntary Body Gestures for Measuring the User Engagement in VR Gaming', USA, presented at ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST 2022), USA, 29 October 2022
    Conference Papers | 2021
    Elvitigala DS; Huber J; Nanayakkara S, 2021, 'Augmented Foot: A Comprehensive Survey of Augmented Foot Interfaces', in ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, pp. 228 - 239, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3458709.3458958
    Conference Papers | 2021
    Elvitigala DS; Matthies DJC; Weerasinghe C; Nanayakkara S, 2021, 'GymSoles++: Combining Google Glass with Smart Insoles to Improve Body Posture when Performing Squats', in ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, pp. 48 - 54, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3453892.3453898
    Conference Papers | 2021
    Elvitigala DS; Scholl PM; Suriyaarachchi H; DIssanayake V; Nanayakkara S, 2021, 'StressShoe: A DIY Toolkit for just-in-time Personalised Stress Interventions for Office Workers Performing Sedentary Tasks', in Proceedings of MobileHCI 2021 - ACM International Conference on Mobile Human-Computer Interaction: Mobile Apart, MobileTogether, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3447526.3472023
    Conference Papers | 2021
    Matthies DJC; Elvitigala DS; Fu A; Yin D; Nanayakkara S, 2021, 'MobiLLD: Exploring the Detection of Leg Length Discrepancy and Altering Gait with Mobile Smart Insoles', in ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, pp. 37 - 47, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3453892.3453896
    Conference Papers | 2020
    Elvitigala DS; Matthies D; Weerasinghe C; Shi Y; Nanayakkara S, 2020, 'GymSoles++: Using Smart Wearbales to Improve Body Posture when Performing Squats and Dead-Lifts', in ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3384657.3385331
    Conference Papers | 2020
    Muthukumarana S; Elvitigala DS; Forero Cortes JP; Matthies DJC; Nanayakkara S, 2020, 'Touch me Gently: Recreating the Perception of Touch using a Shape-Memory Alloy Matrix', in Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3313831.3376491
    Conference Papers | 2019
    Dissanayake V; Elvitigala DS; Zhang H; Weerasinghe C; Nanayakkara S, 2019, 'CompRate: Power efficient heart rate and heart rate variability monitoring on smartwearables', in Proceedings of the ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology, VRST, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3359996.3364239
    Conference Papers | 2019
    Elvitigala DS; Matthies DJC; David L; Weerasinghe C; Nanayakkara S, 2019, 'Gymsoles: Improving squats and dead-lifs by visualizing the user’s center of pressure', in Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3290605.3300404
    Conference Papers | 2019
    Elvitigala DS; Matthies DJC; Dissanayaka V; Weerasinghe C; Nanayakkara S, 2019, '2bit-tactilehand: Evaluating tactons for on-body vibrotactile displays on the hand andwrist', in ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3311823.3311832
    Conference Papers | 2019
    Matthies DJC; Elvitigala DS; Muthukumarana S; Huber J; Nanayakkara S, 2019, 'CapMat: A Smart Foot Mat for User Authentication', in PROCEEDINGS OF THE 10TH AUGMENTED HUMAN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2019 (AH2019), ASSOC COMPUTING MACHINERY, FRANCE, Reims, presented at 10th Augmented Human International Conference (AH), FRANCE, Reims, 11 March 2019 - 12 March 2019, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3311823.3311874
    Conference Papers | 2019
    Muthukumarana S; Elvitigala DS; Cortes JPF; Matthies DJC; Nanayakkara S, 2019, 'PhantomTouch: Creating an extended reality by the illusion of touch using a shape-memory alloy matrix', in SIGGRAPH Asia 2019 XR, SA 2019, pp. 29 - 30, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3355355.3361877
    Conference Papers | 2019
    Muthukumarana S; Matthies DJC; Weerasinghe C; Elvitigala DS; Nanayakkara S, 2019, 'CricketCoach: Towards Creating a Better Awareness of Gripping Forces for Cricketers', in PROCEEDINGS OF THE 10TH AUGMENTED HUMAN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2019 (AH2019), ASSOC COMPUTING MACHINERY, FRANCE, Reims, presented at 10th Augmented Human International Conference (AH), FRANCE, Reims, 11 March 2019 - 12 March 2019, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3311823.3311833
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Elvitigala DS, 2018, 'Exploring the potential of the foot to infer on user information', in UbiComp/ISWC 2018 - Adjunct Proceedings of the 2018 ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing and Proceedings of the 2018 ACM International Symposium on Wearable Computers, pp. 1802 - 1804, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3267305.3278604
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Elvitigala S; Chan SWT; Howell N; Matthies DJC; Nanayakkara S, 2018, 'Doodle Daydream: An Interactive Display to Support Playful and Creative Interactions Between Co-workers', in SUI 2018 - Proceedings of the Symposium on Spatial User Interaction, pp. 186, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3267782.3274681
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Petry B; Illandara T; Elvitigala DS; Nanayakkara S, 2018, 'Supporting rhythm activities of deaf children using music-sensory-substitution systems', in Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3173574.3174060
    Conference Papers | 2018
    2018, 'Uncovering the Potential of the Foot as a Source of User Information', in PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2018 ACM INTERNATIONAL JOINT CONFERENCE ON PERVASIVE AND UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2018 ACM INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON WEARABLE COMPUTERS (UBICOMP/ISWC'18 ADJUNCT), ASSOC COMPUTING MACHINERY, SINGAPORE, Google, Singapore, pp. 541 - 546, presented at ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing / ACM International Symposium on Wearable Computers (UbiComp/ISWC), SINGAPORE, Google, Singapore, 08 October 2018 - 12 October 2018, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3267305.3267313
    Conference Papers | 2017
    Elvitigala DS; Peiris R; Wilhelm E; Foong S; Nanayakkara S, 2017, 'GrabAmps: Grab a Wire to sense the current flow', in ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3041164.3041199
    Conference Papers | 2016
    Dilhara M; Samarawickrama J; Elvitigala S, 2016, 'Sensor platform for non-invasive ubiquitous current sensing', in Proceedings of the International Conference on Sensing Technology, ICST, http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/ICSensT.2016.7796322
    Conference Papers | 2016
    Elvitigala DS; Wessolek D; Achenbach AV; Singhabahu C; Nanayakkara S, 2016, 'SwimSight: Supporting deaf users to participate in swimming games', in Proceedings of the 28th Australian Computer-Human Interaction Conference, OzCHI 2016, pp. 567 - 570, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3010915.3010969
    Conference Papers | 2016
    Withana A; Ransiri S; Kaluarachchi T; Singhabahu C; Shi Y; Elvitigala S; Nanayakkara S, 2016, 'WaveSense: Ultra low power gesture sensing based on selective volumetric illumination', in UIST 2016 Adjunct - Proceedings of the 29th Annual Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology, pp. 139 - 140, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2984751.2985734

Doctor of Philosphy Examination – Dean’s List 
My name has been placed on the Dean of Graduate Studies List (Dean’s List) of the University of Auckland, New Zealand in recognition of excellence achieved with my doctoral thesis. This award is made to only a few recipients each year from the large number of doctoral students completing their thesis.

Honorable Mention Award in MobileHCI 2021 (Sept-Oct 2021)
My paper “StressShoe: A DIY Toolkit for just-in-time Personalised Stress Interventions for Office Workers Performing Sedentary Tasks” won the honuorable mention award in MobileHCI 2021 (The ACM International Conference on Mobile Human-Computer Interaction).

Best Student Paper Award in PETRA 2021 (June-July 2021)
My paper “GymSoles++: Combining Google Glass withSmart Insoles to Improve Body Posture when Performing Squats.” won the best paper award in PETRA 2021 (PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments Conference)

New Zealand Best Design Awards 2020
GymSoles won New Zealand Best Design Awards Bronze medal in Student Digital Technology Category
Jammify won New Zealand Best Design Awards Silver medal in Student Digital Technology Category
Jammify won New Zealand Best Design Awards Bronze medal in Student Spatial Installations Category
Pride in Lights won New Zealand Best Design Awards Gold medal in Lighting Design Category
Pride in Lights won New Zealand Best Design Awards Gold medal in Exhibition and Temporary Structures Category
Touch me Gently Selected as a finalist in New Zealand Best Design Awards Student Digital Technology Category

Doctoral Colloquium Best Presentation Award Runner-Up (Oct 2018).
My PhD research project presentation won runner-up award at Doctoral Colloquium of UbiComp 2018 (The 2018 ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing)

NUS Medical Grand Challenge (Aug 2017).
I was awarded third price in NUS Medical Grand challenge, an inter university students competiton for medical innovation organized by National University of Singapore.

 

Some of my recent publications are shown below:

Elvitigala, D.S., Boldu, R., Matthies D. J. C. and Nanayakkara, S.C., 2021 TickleFoot: Design, Development and Evaluation of a Novel Foot-tickling Mechanism that Can Evoke Laughter ACM Trans. Comput.-Hum. Interact (Accepted to be published in ToCHI Special issue on Digital Touch).

Elvitigala, D.S. ,  Scholl, P.M., Suriyaarachchi, H., Dissanayake, V.,  and Nanayakkara, S. 2021.StressShoe: A DIY Toolkit for just-in-time Personalised Stress Interventions for Office Workers Performing Sedentary Tasks. In MobileHCI’21: The ACM International Conference on Mobile Human-Computer Interaction, September 27-30,2021, Touluse, France. ACM. Honorable Mention Award!

Elvitigala, D.S. ,  Nanayakkara, S. and Huber, J. 2021.Augmented Foot: A Comprehensive Survey of Augmented Foot Interfaces.In Augmented Humans International Conference 2021 (AHs ’21), February22–24, 2021, Rovaniemi, Finland.ACM.

Elvitigala, D.S., Matthies, D.J.C., Weerasinghe, C., and Nanayakkara, S. 2021. GymSoles++: Combining Google Glass withSmart Insoles to Improve Body Posture when Performing Squats. In the 14th PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments Conference (PETRA 2021), June 29-July 2, 2021, Corfu, Greece. ACM. Best Student Paper Award!

Matthies, D.J.C, Elvitigala, D.S., Fu, A. Yin, D., and Nanayakkara, S.,  2021. mobiLLD: Exploring the Detection of Leg Length Discrepancy and Altering Gait with Mobile Smart Insoles. In The14th PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments Conference (PETRA 2021), June 29-July 2, 2021, Corfu, Greece.ACM.

Elvitigala, D.S.; Matthies, D.J.; Nanayakkara, S. StressFoot: Uncovering the Potential of the Foot for Acute Stress Sensing in Sitting Posture. Sensors 2020, 20, 2882.

Elvitigala, D.S., Matthies, D.J.C., David, L., Weerasinghe, C., & Nanayakkara, S. (2019). GymSoles: Improving Squats and Dead-Lifts by Visualizing the User’s Center of Pressure. In Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems Proceedings (CHI 2019), May 4–9, 2019, Glasgow, Scotland Uk. ACM.

Read more about my research from my personal website and my google scholar account.