Mr. Minseok Kim is a graduate student at POSTECH specializing in sensor networks and wireless signals. His research focuses on repurposing RF signals like UWB beyond communication to understand the physical world in new ways. His editor’s choice paper introduces a novel system for accurately tracking a user’s head direction using commercial UWB sensors in earphones, and he is currently expanding this work toward 3D orientation tracking.

1. Could you give a brief introduction about yourself to our readers?
I am a graduate student at POSTECH, focusing my research on sensor networks, particularly in leveraging RF signals such as Wi-Fi and ultra-wideband (UWB) signals. My current work explores repurposing these signals, traditionally used for data communication, to better understand and interact with the physical world. This idea shaped the direction of my paper, which was selected as the editor’s choice paper. My research began with the question of whether UWB, expected to represent the next generation of communication technology for earphones, could be used for more than just data transmission. My paper introduces a heading-direction tracking system using only commercial off-the-shelf UWB sensors integrated into earphones, based on the constant distance between them. My proposed calibration method enables accurate tracking of a user’s head direction. I believe that by reinterpreting ambient signals, researchers can unlock new value in everyday technologies. I plan to continue exploring their hidden potential in future work.

2. In your opinion, which research topics will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
I anticipate that my future research will continue to focus on repurposing existing infrastructure and RF signals, an area I am strongly interested in. While technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and UWB were originally designed for data communication, I am interested in exploring how they can be leveraged for entirely different purposes—such as location tracking or gesture recognition—through methods like time-of-flight and angle-of-arrival, all without interfering with their primary functions. I see great potential in uncovering new value from widely deployed technologies. Building on my prior work, UDirEar, which focused on 2D heading direction, my current research expands toward achieving full 3D orientation tracking. My goal is to detect not only the direction a user is facing but also head movements such as nodding or tilting.

3. How do you manage your time and balance your responsibilities as a researcher?
To manage my schedule, I use the 'jar of time' approach. I imagine my time as a jar and my tasks as rocks. The big rocks, the important tasks, go in first, and the smaller ones fill the gaps. This helps me stay organized while making the most of my time.

4. What qualities do you think young scientists need?
Reflecting on the importance of embracing change as a young researcher, I would say that before graduate school, my main interests were in virtual desktop functions and cloud-native computing. However, I shifted my focus to sensors and wireless networks—a significant change that required adaptation. By diving into this new field, I found that I could adapt quickly while gaining valuable knowledge and skills. I feel that this flexibility has given me a wider perspective—something that will help me no matter which research path I follow next.

5. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?
Open access is essential for modern research, as it makes research widely accessible—not only to full-time scholars but also to students and independent learners. Drawing from my own high school experience, open access papers were crucial when subscription-based journals were out of reach. While I can acknowledge challenges such as publication costs and peer-review quality, I believe that open access ultimately breaks down barriers to knowledge and is a positive step for the academic community.

6. Have you had difficulties to overcome in your work? How did you approach those situations?
One of my biggest challenges was bridging the gap between theory and practice, particularly when hardware did not perform as its official specifications would suggest. Identifying whether such issues stem from hardware limitations or software bugs is particularly difficult but crucial, as it can significantly affect research timelines. I have addressed technical challenges by systematically analyzing errors and logs, then seeking advice from colleagues or experts when needed. This combination of careful debugging and collaboration helps me overcome most obstacles in my research.