Enhance Human-Computer Interaction through Wearable Haptic Interface Design

Advancements in wearable computing have led to the introduction of haptic user interfaces, providing touch feedback through electronic devices such as smartwatches and head-mounted displays. These interfaces have versatile applications, facilitating remote communication, entertainment, and internet browsing. However, existing interfaces often trigger a single haptic sensation on human skin using rigid actuators, neglecting the potential of utilizing different types of tactile sensations. This thesis proposes that by designing haptic interfaces targeting both discriminative and affective touch perceptions, wearable and mixed-reality haptic interfaces can be significantly improved. The main contributions include:

Three-Dimensional-Printable Soft On-Skin Actuators for Wearable Computing:
The thesis introduces FLECTILE, a 3D-printable, skin-attachable electromagnetic actuator. This actuator employs soft, stretchable, and biocompatible materials, providing wearability on various body locations and enabling directed interactions in diverse wearable computing scenarios.

Design of an On-Skin Interface Component with Multiple Tactile Stimuli:
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In this thesis, DragTapVib, a haptic actuator capable of producing three tactile sensations based on discriminative touch and affective touch - vibration, dragging, and tapping is described. The actuator allows for precise and expressive interactions on different body locations, enhancing the haptic experience in applications like on-skin notifications and gaming.

Investigate Affective Touch and Discriminative Touch as a New Pathway in Passive Haptic Learning:
Previous studies in passive haptic learning (PHL) have yielded remarkably robust results and revealed great potentials with this technology. However, it is worth noting that previous studies have consistently utilized vibration as the primary signal for passive haptic learning. This thesis first proposes three wearable systems leveraging discriminative touch and affective touch - vibration, stroking, and tapping, respectively. Then, this thesis explores the potential of affective touch (stroking and tapping) in passive haptic learning, which has previously focused mainly on discriminative touch (vibration). The findings suggest that affective touch can be equally efficient and may offer additional benefits in the learning process.

Enhance User Experience through the Integration of Wearable Haptic Interfaces with Other Interaction Technologies:
This thesis investigates the integration of wearable haptic interfaces with other interaction technologies, such as visual and auditory feedback and mixed reality technologies, to enhance the overall user experience. By exploring these combinations, the thesis contributes to the advancement of haptic user interfaces and offers potential ways to enrich human interactions with technology through a diverse range of haptic sensations.

In conclusion, this thesis represents a significant step forward in the design and implementation of haptic user interfaces, envisioning a future where wearable computing systems offer multiple on-skin interactions and augment human physical, cognitive, and perceptual capabilities. By targeting both discriminative and affective touch perceptions, these haptic interfaces have the potential to revolutionize human-computer interaction and enhance how we interact with the real environment leveraging haptic technology in various application domains.