Towards a Theory of Haptic Design

Author:

Gehman, Noah

Area of Honors:

Human-Centered Design and Development

Degree:

Bachelor of Science

Document Type:

Thesis

Thesis Supervisors:

Fred Fonseca, Thesis Supervisor
Dan Welch, Thesis Honors Advisor

Keywords:

Haptics
Haptic Design
User-Centered Design

Abstract:

This thesis proposes a foundational framework for a user-centered theory of haptic design by defining and analyzing systems, processes, and limitations of four foundational haptic domains: the domain of the natural (governed by principles of biology), the domain of the physical (governed by principles of physics), the domain of the virtual (governed by principles of computer science), and the domain of the artificial (governed by principles of psychology). The analysis of each domain reveals a key consideration of haptic design: haptic perception, passive haptic feedback, active haptic feedback, and haptic cognition. The four domains sequentially build on each other in such a way that the deficiencies of each domain are addressed by systems within the next domain. In the domain of the physical, mechanical systems address the deficiency of haptic perception in the domain of the natural by quantifying haptic sensations, enabling passive haptic feedback. In the domain of the virtual, computer systems address the deficiency of passive haptic feedback by dynamically simulating haptic responses, thereby enabling active haptic feedback. Finally, in the domain of the artificial, psychological systems address the deficiency of active haptic feedback by contextualizing user experience, thereby enabling haptic cognition. By analyzing the distinct yet interdependent roles of each domain, this thesis provides a framework that lends itself to a user-centered theory of haptic design which thus far has remained elusive.