Haptics in 2D and 3D desktop environments

Haptics is a modality that we use every day to interact with our physical environment. However, until now, haptics has not really been used in human-computer interfaces to its full potential. In this theme we aim at finding out which kind of situations and tasks haptic feedback best suits for: when the use of haptic feedback gives us real benefits. Based on this knowledge we define guidelines for using haptic feedback.

We have two main research platforms: a 2D drawing program and a 3D sculpting program. In 2D haptic feedback we are using the TouchSence technology provided by Immersion Corporation. In 3D our present choice is the PHANToM by SensAble, Inc.
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Haptic, auditory and visual environment for the disabled people

In this theme sense of touch will be used as an additional channel in multimodal user interfaces. Haptic feedback can be used with visual and auditory feedback to make the user interface to more informative and concrete. Presenting redundant information with these modalities can also compensate disabilities in some of them. For example, a person not seeing well can hear and feel the graphics interface.

We are actively cooperating with the organizations for the disabled people in the Nordic Countries. Our focus in on user interfaces for the children.
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Multimodal Kiosk Interfaces

In this research theme the emphasis is on research and development of information kiosk user interfaces. Typically a public information kiosk provides information about things like city services, attractions, or shopping services. Our kiosk is a multimodal system, in which a touchscreen acts as the main input and output device.

Among other topics machine vision, user interface agents and alternative input methods are investigated and developed in this theme. The kiosk that makes use of machine vision techniques can recognize users before they enter in front of the kiosk. An anthropomorphic animated agent is able to look at the users while talking. The kiosk can also be used with hand gestures drawn on the surface of the screen.
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Modeling and Developing Text Input Methods

The emergence of small mobile computing devices has brought up the need to change the way we write. Both handwriting and touch-typing skills are equally useless when writing with a typical mobile phone. The goal of text input research in this theme is to produce some of the information and technology that is needed by the device manufacturers and the users in order to choose wisely when they decide upon which writing system to use.
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Interaction Modeling

The purpose of the research focusing on manual interaction techniques is to develop methods and rules for making the development and assessment of new interaction techniques easier. A difficulty in developing new manual interaction techniques is to evaluate the appropriateness of an interaction device in a specific task. Furthermore, we are determining the appropriateness of different feedback modalities in different situations.

Haptic Interaction Device Prototyping

We are building haptic interaction devices based on many different technologies: thermal elements, stepper drivers, magnetic fields and pneumatic elements. Displays for special needs are for example near-eye displays and ambient displays.