Podcast episode: Matrix: How to protect our thoughts
The advent of neurotechnologies brings undeniable benefits when we look, for example, at the field of healthcare, but it can also threaten people’s privacy, identity and freedom. Ana Tajadura Jimenez, associate professor at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and head of the i_mBODY laboratory, and Jonathan Nelson, director of Risk Intelligence at Alto Intelligence, help us in this episode, ‘Matrix: Cómo proteger lo que pensamos‘ (Matrix: How to protect what we think), of the podcast ‘El algoritmo que sabía demasiado’ (The Algorithm That Knew Too Much), to understand the benefits and risks posed by these new technologies capable of infiltrating our minds. Spotify: Listen here Youtube: Listen here Onda Cero: Listen here Apple Podcasts: Listen here Amazon Music: Listen here ‘El algoritmo que sabía demasiado’ is an initiative of the Digital Rights Observatory, promoted by the Hermes Foundation in collaboration with Red.es, an entity attached to the Ministry for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service. It is also supported by the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and the European NextGenerationEU funds. The audio production is handled by the team at La Propagadora. Directed and presented by Txema Valenzuela. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the sole responsibility of those who express them and do not necessarily represent the position of the Digital Rights Observatory. More information News post in Spanish http://bodyintransit.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/VID-20260512-WA0004.mp4
Seminar: Inside–Outside Dynamics: Breathing as a Modulator of the Bodily Self
Date:Monday, May 4, 2026 Time:14:00 CET Location (In person):Room 11.2.23, Getafe (Campus Las Margaritas UC3M) Online:https://meet.google.com/tgg-pvbi-fsp Speaker:Francesca Ferri, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara (Italy) Abstract This talk explores breathing as a fundamental neural and perceptual modulator of interoceptive and exteroceptive processing in the construction of the bodily self. Traditionally considered a physiological function supporting metabolism and gas exchange, respiration is increasingly recognized as a dynamic mechanism that structures brain–body interactions across multiple temporal scales. Breathing is proposed as a slow oscillatory system that temporally coordinates the balance between internal bodily signals (interoception) and external sensory information (exteroception), thereby shaping perception, self-awareness, and adaptive behavior. Converging evidence shows that both interoceptive and exteroceptive signals are rhythmically modulated by cardiac and respiratory cycles, influencing sensory detection, multisensory integration, and perceptual accuracy. In particular, different phases of the respiratory cycle—especially inhalation and exhalation—systematically bias the weighting of external versus internal information, suggesting a mechanism of rhythmic precision-weighting in predictive processing. Building on recent empirical findings, this talk argues that respiration not only reflects bodily state but actively organizes neural excitability and perceptual sampling, functioning as a “physiological metronome” for self-related inference. Within this framework, the bodily self emerges as a dynamically updated generative model that integrates interoceptive and exteroceptive signals under the principle of self-relevance. Finally, the talk will address how disruptions in respiratory modulation may contribute to altered intero–extero integration in mental disorders, offering new perspectives on psychopathology and embodied cognition. Biography Francesca Ferri is Associate Professor at the Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences (DNISC) at the G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara (Italy), where she directs the Embodied Adaptive Mind (TEAM) Laboratory. She holds a PhD in Neuroscience (University of Parma) and a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology (University of Bologna). She completed postdoctoral training at the Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa (Canada), and held a Lecturer position at the University of Essex (UK). Since 2018, she holds the Italian National Scientific Habilitation as Full Professor in General Psychology, Psychobiology, and Psychometrics. Her research lies in cognitive and affective neuroscience, focusing on body perception, multisensory integration, interoception, and the neural mechanisms of bodily self-consciousness. She investigates how brain–body interactions contribute to self-awareness, perception, and adaptive behaviour, combining neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, EEG, TMS), psychophysiology, and computational approaches. She has coordinated and participated in multiple national and European research projects, including PRIN and Erasmus+ initiatives such as the INGENIUM European University Alliance. She is the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications (H-index: 34, Scopus), with work published in leading journals such as NeuroImage, Journal of Neuroscience, Cognition, Biological Psychology, and Schizophrenia Bulletin. — If you are interested in giving a talk please write an email to: lab.imbody@gmail to: lab.imbody@gmail.com.
Participation in MOCO ’26
We are thrilled to have shared our latest research at the MOCO ’26 Movoment Computing Conference in Montpellier, France, this April. Our team presented the findings of a study focused on a novel, portable approach to the “Footsteps Illusion.”While traditional sonification systems often require controlled laboratory environments, our work introduces a movement-synchronized system using prerecorded footstep sounds. By manipulating frequency—triggering sensations of a lighter or heavier body—we demonstrated that these effects can be successfully reproduced using movement-triggered prerecorded footstep sounds. Our results confirm that auditory feedback remains a powerful tool for altering body perception and gait, even outside the lab. Learn more reading the paper: https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3802842.3802882
Strong Presence at CHI 2026: Bringing Body Transformation Experiences to the Forefront of HCI
We are proud to share that our team had a highly engaging presence at CHI 2026 in Barcelona. As the leading global conference in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), CHI brings together thousands of researchers, designers, and practitioners from across disciplines to explore the future of interactive technologies. This year’s event once again demonstrated the field’s breadth and vitality, providing an inspiring setting for exchange and collaboration. The i_mBODY Lab made an active contribution to the conference program, showcasing a wide range of work centered on Body Transformation Experiences. Our participation included organizing a workshop and a panel discussion, as well as presenting several demos, posters, and a full paper. Through these diverse formats, we emphasized the importance of critical, embodied, and methodologically grounded perspectives in shaping research at the intersection of technology and body perception. Set against the vibrant Mediterranean backdrop, the conference offered not only intellectual stimulation but also valuable opportunities to connect with leading researchers. Above all, it was a memorable shared experience for our team. We are grateful to everyone who contributed with their knowledge and presence throughout the week. We return from CHI 2026 energized and motivated to continue advancing research on Body Transformation Experiences.
Seminar: Embodied assistance: communicating with users through movements
Date:Monday, April 20, 2026 Time:14:00 Location:Aula 11.1.8 (Campus Getafe) Presenter:Yun Ho Abstract Computing has been increasingly woven into people’s lives as a form of assistance. However, most assistance systems communicate with users through symbols. For example, GPS systems guide users using visual or textual instructions. In contrast, embodied assistance—such as systems implemented through electrical muscle stimulation—can support users physically via their own movements. This enables a new form of interaction in which users do not need to translate symbols into actions. In this talk, Yun will present her research on embodied assistance applied to physical multitasking, motor learning, procedural knowledge, and more. Bio Yun Ho is a second-year Ph.D. student in Computer Science at the University of Chicago, advised by Professor Pedro Lopes (Human-Computer Integration Lab). Her work focuses on Human–Computer Interaction, exploring how people make sense of and build relationships with physical assistance systems that communicate through proprioception (users’ own movements). Website:https://www.yunho.org/ — If you are interested in giving a talk please write an email to: lab.imbody@gmail to: lab.imbody@gmail.com.
i_mBODY Lab at CHI2026!
Multiple activities at CHI 2026 in Barcelona! Workshop Body Transformation Experiences: A workshop on How to Elicit, Assess and Support them through Multisensory Technology Demo i_mBODY Lab Demonstrates: Body Transformation Experiences with Multisensory Wearables Panel Sustainable Body Transformation Experiences Poster Wearable Sound Technologies for Understanding and Shaping Bodily Perception and Emotional States in Depressive Symptomatology Paper Taking a Walk on the Wild Side: Effects of Walking in Synchrony with Pitch-Altered Footstep Sounds on Body Perception in Outside the Lab Contexts Body Transformation Experience: What is it for you? Tell us in this form!
Our Demo as part of the TEI Conference 2026!! Mapping the Body: Developing Body Maps as Research Tool to Derive Quantifiable and Context-Sensitive Design Insights
Our Demo as part of the TEI Conference 2026!! Mapping the Body: Developing Body Maps as Research Tool to Derive Quantifiable and Context-Sensitive Design Insights at the Museum of Science and Industry of Chicago. TEI 2026 Conference on Tangible and Embedded Interaction. University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA Authors Amar D’Adamo, Laia Turmo-Vidal, Karunya Srinivasan, Mohammad Deshibi, Daniel de la Prida, and Ana Tajadura-Jiménez i_mBODY Lab European Research Council (ERC)
Last publication: A mixed-methods approach to body perception research
EN Our latest work, published in Psychophysiology, presents a pragmatic mixed-methods approach to the study of body perception, integrating qualitative design methods with experimental quantitative approaches. In this article, we provide an overview of qualitative approaches that can enrich different stages of the scientific process, including experimental design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination. This integration contributes to more nuanced insights within cognitive neuroscience while fostering multidisciplinary collaboration without sacrificing methodological rigor. Only through quantitative and experimental methods can we build generalizable andOnly through quantitative and experimental methods can we build generalizable and reproducible science. And only by treating body experience as living and dynamic can we capture its nuance, variability, and richness. ES Nuestro trabajo más reciente, publicado en Psychophysiology, presenta una propuesta pragmática de métodos mixtos para el estudio de la percepción corporal, integrando métodos cualitativos de diseño con enfoques experimentales cuantitativos. En este artículo ofrecemos una visión general de aproximaciones cualitativas que pueden enriquecer distintas etapas del proceso científico, incluyendo el diseño experimental, la recolección de datos, el análisis y la difusión de resultados. Esta integración contribuye a generar insights más matizados dentro de la neurociencia cognitiva y, al mismo tiempo, fomenta la colaboración multidisciplinaria sin comprometer el rigor metodológico. Solo mediante métodos cuantitativos y experimentales es posible construir una ciencia generalizable y reproducible. Y solo al comprender la experiencia corporal como algo vivo y dinámico podemos captar plenamente sus matices, variabilidad y riqueza.
i_mBody Lab at European Researchers’ Night 2025: Hacking the Senses with Wearable Technology
On Friday, September 26th, 2025, i_mBody Lab will once again participate in the European Researchers’ Night at UC3M as part of the “Noche Europea de las Investigadoras e Investigadores de Madrid” event in Spain. This year, our lab will present “Hackear los sentidos: Experiencias de transformación del cuerpo con wearables” (Hacking the Senses: Body Transformation Experiences with Wearables) at the UC3M Madrid Campus – Puerta de Toledo Auditorium from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. During this interactive session, we’ll explore how our body perception influences movement, environmental and social interactions, and health. Our team will demonstrate how we use wearable technologies to create Body Transformation Experiences that can change people’s perception of their body and subsequently impact their behavior, emotion, and health. Attendees will discover our interdisciplinary approach that combines neuroscience, human-computer interaction, engineering, and AI, alongside our innovative participatory design thinking and embodied methods inspired by theatrical techniques. Most importantly, participants will have hands-on opportunities to experiment with our latest prototypes and reflect on their potential applications in health, wellness, and design. Join us for an evening of sensory exploration and discover how technology can transform our understanding of the human body! European Researchers’ Night continues to be a vital scientific outreach initiative promoted by the European Commission as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions under the Horizon Europe program. Since 2005, this event has connected researchers with the public across nearly 400 European cities simultaneously, making science accessible and engaging for all.
Ars Electronica 2025
We are thrilled to announce that the project “Ritual Device for Fungal Humus” by Santiago Morilla was featured in the official section PANIC: Complex. Absurd. Ominous at Ars Electronica 2025 (Linz, Austria).