Tychonas Michailidis is a Lecturer in Digital Media Technology at Birmingham City University. He received his PhD degree in music technology and composition from Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham City University and a Master’s degree in Digital Arts in Performance. 

Previously he joints Solent University (2016) as a post-doctoral researcher working on the IMAGINE project, a Virtual Reality diagnostics tool for marine engineers, as well as developing a bespoke Vibrotactile Armband (VARM) system for haptic communication and interactions between performers.

His research interests focus on human-computer interaction, gesture interaction, interactive systems, sensor technologies, electronic music performance and new media compositions. In particular, his research examines the relationships of vibrotactile and haptic feedback in performances and how it can advance interactive systems and communications in the arts and real- world applications. 

He often works with composers and ensembles utilising complex music technology systems including Hilda Paredes (Mexico/UK), Yuval Avital (Italy), Grup Instrumental de Valencia (Spain), Court-Circuit (France), Meitar Ensemble (Israel). As an artist and researcher, Tychonas is involved in a wide range of audio-related projects.

Most recent projects include:

Audio-Haptics (2019-2020) The project aims to explore some fundamental connections between audio and haptics and how users interact and respond to different stimuli. The technology uses ultrasound waves at high frequencies that create tactile sensations onto your hand, without the need to wear haptic gloves or use hand-held game controllers to feel the sound. interaction can be achieved through vibrotactile feedback between two performers. Specifically, a prototyping vibrotactile feedback system has been developed to identify the mechanisms required to establish a communication language through vibration. The project examined the relationships between vibration and movement/gesture in dance performances. 

VARM (Vibrotactile Armband) (2017- 2019) examines how non-verbal interaction can be achieved through vibrotactile feedback between two performers. Specifically, prototyping vibrotactile feedback system has been developed to identify the mechanisms required to establish a communication language through vibration. The project examined the relationships between vibration and movement/gesture in dance performances.