Abstract
Touch offers a channel of communication that is uniquely intuitive, emotive and intimate. In a world where people are increasingly experiencing long distance relationships, social isolation and high levels of anxiety, there is a deep longing to be able to truly keep ‘in touch' with others and to share physical reassurance and comfort. Despite this, touch, as an experiential sense, is underrepresented in our current technologies and this need remains largely unmet.In this thesis we explore the affective potential of haptic interfaces, working towards a vision of enabling rich and meaningful human interactions by broadening and diversifying the sensory landscape of our technologies. We conduct this research by fabricating and evaluating the novel affective haptic interfaces shown in Figure 0.1, with a focus on three areas of application; notifications, well-being and mediated social touch.
Affective haptics for notifications: We present a series of wearable and on-skin interfaces that generate sensations such as skin stretching, pinching, squeezing and twisting via shape memory alloy actuators. We conduct psychophysical tests with these interfaces, finding that they predominantly produce pleasant sensations that are preferred to vibration. We explore their capability to produce subtle and nuanced notifications. Finally, we offer a `playfully' unpleasant interface that generates stabbing sensations on the skin, suggesting that, to allow for a richer range of symbolic communication, the unpleasant, uncomfortable and urgent range of the spectrum can also be considered.
Affective haptics for easing anxiety: We develop a haptic device for easing anxiety by employing an iterative design process informed by focus groups with end-users. The final artifact is a huggable cushion that simulates breathing through pneumatic actuation. We find, through psychophysical testing, that the cushion is as effective as a breathing meditation at easing test anxiety in students and is, uniquely, more effective for students with higher trait test anxiety. We investigate whether the cushion encourages breathing entrainment to ascertain the mechanism by which anxiety is eased. Finally, we present qualitative feedback on the cushion from people living with Dementia who find the interface intuitive, accessible and enjoyable to use.
Affective haptics for mediated social touch: In response to the absence of social touch in the pandemic, we adapt the breathing cushion to serve as a social touch interface, allowing people to remotely feel the breathing of their loved ones in real-time. We explore the range of communication available with the cushion by investigating whether physical expressions such as talking, laughing and sighing are intuitively identified through the interface. We engage romantic couples in simulated long-distance interaction with one another through the cushion and find that it fills a desire for physical presence during quiet times of the day and is most appreciated as a standalone communication channel rather than as an addition to phone or video calls.
This body of work evidences that technology can provide meaningful and emotive touch interactions which promote connection and well-being. We encourage the continued exploration and diversification of the affective haptic landscape to inform and enrich future interactive technologies.
| Date of Award | 25 Jan 2022 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Jonathan M Rossiter (Supervisor) & Chris Kent (Supervisor) |
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