Expressive haptics for enhanced usability of mobile interfaces in situations of impairments

TL;DR

This paper explores advanced kinaesthetic haptic feedback to improve mobile interface usability for both visually impaired users and in situational impairments, aiming for inclusive, non-stigmatizing assistive technology.

Contribution

It introduces design concepts and initial studies on expressive haptic feedback to enhance mobile usability for impaired and situationally challenged users.

Findings

Kinaesthetic force feedback can improve mobile interaction in sunlight.

Expressive haptic interactions can benefit visually impaired users.

Design concepts show potential for inclusive mobile interfaces.

Abstract

Designing for situational awareness could lead to better solutions for disabled people, likewise, exploring the needs of disabled people could lead to innovations that can address situational impairments. This in turn can create non-stigmatising assistive technology for disabled people from which eventually everyone could benefit. In this paper, we investigate the potential for advanced haptics to compliment the graphical user interface of mobile devices, thereby enhancing user experiences of all people in some situations (e.g. sunlight interfering with interaction) and visually impaired people. We explore technical solutions to this problem space and demonstrate our justification for a focus on the creation of kinaesthetic force feedback. We propose initial design concepts and studies, with a view to co-create delightful and expressive haptic interactions with potential users motivated by scenarios of situational and permanent impairments.