The Haptic Fragment
A system for creating and testing haptic feedback
YEAR
2020
DURATION
16 Weeks
Context
University
Our vital haptic perception should be addressed when we design human user interfaces.
In the last decade, interfaces have merged with our environment or were operated primarily via the smartphone's touchscreen.
While the complexity of these interfaces continuously increases, the user input and feedback mostly rely on visual information and feedback, neglecting the rich haptic perception of humans. This issue becomes even more relevant when considering complex telerobotic systems, such as minimally invasive surgery.
The Haptic Fragment enables designers, developers and researchers to develop and test haptic feedback faster and easier.
The bi-directional composer and studio
Haptic composer
Using the iPhone's advanced vibration CoreHaptics actuator, feedback can be explored and experienced instantly. In the desktop application, users can take these haptic scribbles to the next level by fine-tuning them in the software studio.
Simulating interferences and environments
One of the goals of THF is to make the cost-intensive testing of haptic applications, for example, in telerobotics, as effective as possible.
Users can digitally simulate deployment environments and interferences or test and develop individual hardware components separately.
Connect any actuator and simulate the rest
Extracting individual interactions
A feature set based on user research
During my design process, I had the opportunity to interview brilliant minds at the German Aerospace Center and the Max Planck Haptic Intelligence department to validate my concepts. Still, I also considered the needs of beginners.
The modular structure enables users with various requirements to get their job done, regardless of their level of expertise.
The missing link: a file format for haptics
I've learned that exporting, sharing, and playing haptics with different hardware across international teams was one of the major pain points for researchers. With THF, users can export haptics in multiple coding formats or even convert programming languages to take their haptics everywhere.
Selecting an output source in THF
To design a system for creating haptics, you have to feel them with your own hands first.
The full potential of rich stereo haptics has yet to be fully leveraged in consumer goods. Until the distribution of high-quality actuators is limited, so is the user's expectation and business value in developing advanced haptics.
My interest in vibrotactile interfaces was sparked when I created a custom haptic pattern for the iOS App chargeBIG.
Excited by the potential of this new interaction design material, I developed this project as part of the thesis for my Bachelor of Arts degree in Interaction Design.
