CASE STUDY
Add meaning to every
touch. now digitally.
Timeline
4 weeks
SECTOR
Haptic glove
Design Role
UX/UI Design , Research
Research
Part 1
Primary Research
Why we chose this Problem?
With social distancing been the “new normal”, it has unknowingly washed off the affection of touch. Digital well-being apps & health wearables have made us hold on to healthy, sanity & productivity but we’ve missed physically comforting each other in times of crisis.
When panic attacks happened during the day when I was at work or running errands, I would actually massage my arms, shoulders or my thighs to help relax. And it worked. Not as well as holding my husband’s hand, but that’s the best I had under the circumstances (I could hardly ask my colleague if I could hold her hand for a few minutes).
Reminding me to breathe, asking me what I need.
Around that time, I absolutely needed to be touched and "anchored" to something real. Fidgets help me with that you see…
If you’re having a short, sudden panic attack, it can be helpful to have someone with you, reassuring you that it will pass and the symptoms are nothing to worry about
Rub the palms of your hands together
Rub hands together slowly as if you’re washing your hands.
Give yourself a hug
Rub the palms of your hands on your opposite shoulders
Hold someone's hand
Hold your friend's hand as you bring awareness to the light pressure & temperature on your skin.
3 Types of Havening Touch
Design
Link to Working prototype of the Ties app:
Adobe XD (Best viewed in fullscreen and in mobile web version)
https://xd.adobe.com/view/06bb5014-c242-4d66-be26-dbdf97765869-53e8/?fullscreen
User Evaluation
Usability evaluations revealed concerns about the wearable sleeve's comfort, control confusion, limited tactile sensations, and potential ethical issues. Addressing these, we enhanced the product's user-friendliness. Feasibility assessments highlighted worries about comfort, lifestyle integration, and privacy issues. Real-world usage will determine the practicality and user comfort with the wearable, while careful consideration is needed to address potential privacy and security concerns associated with data collection.
Expert Evaluation
Expert evaluations highlighted common concerns in the wearable sleeve's design, controls, and range of tactile sensations, signaling the need for improvements. Post-task questionnaires provided detailed feedback, guiding enhancements to create a more effective and user-friendly product. Experts addressed design ratings, control clarity, ethical concerns, potential market success, and offered valuable suggestions for prototype and app development.
Thank you :)
Mission
15M
6M
14M
People suffering from mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression
People in long-distance relationships
Pandemic stressed & Socially anxious individuals
"When the future is digital & virtual, why can’t touch be one of the better ways of expressing ourselves there?"
User Interview
The Problem
Human touch is at risk in the digital world. Of disappearing. Neglected touch. Low touch. No touch. Not enough touch. Touch hunger. Skin starvation. Touch deprivation. Remote. Distant. Missing.
Expert Opinion
Dr. Lowe, who uses Havening therapy with many of his patients, says the most common havening touch techniques include the following:
Strengthening with supporting evidence: Pressure points for anxiety
The right pressure point depends on the type of anxiety a person feels. Some effective acupressure points for anxiety include:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/6-pressure-points-for-anxiety
Research Journals/Articles
The digital age has enabled us to overcome physical distances through technology, but tactile communication is often overlooked, contributing to a diminished sense of social presence and eventually a feeling of loneliness and social isolation. This inability to recognize and express emotions is a personality construct called ‘alexithymia’
https://repository.tudelft.nl/islandora/object/uuid%3A0f28be87-9ea0-4d61-ad82-661fdcef41cd
Many mental health apps available on app stores are not evidence-based or have been only minimally evaluated. Wearble tech is so connected with data but apart from that it doesn't helps in well-being
https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3555146
Part 2
Application 1:
Solution
Introducing social touch to the digital world through tactile mediums to support humans with their emotional/ mental well-being
Design Direction
Our design direction focuses on a seamlessly integrated wearable hand sleeve to combat touch deprivation's impact on mental health. This discreet yet fashionable device aims to offer a range of tactile experiences, addressing the need for love and support in socially distant scenarios. Emphasizing functionality and style, our design considers essential features and tackles ethical concerns. The hand sleeve's versatility covers a large area, providing various sensations, while its easy integration into clothing encourages regular use.
Possible scenarios - Where could you possibly use this product?
Sketching the Prototype
As we age, loneliness can overshadow even virtual connections. Our wearable device becomes a comforting companion for seniors, providing a constant touch sensation. Beyond video calls, it brings the warmth and pressure of a loved one, offering a tangible experience of support, bridging the gap.
Application 2:
In moments of intense stress and panic attacks, touch can be a powerful ally. However, when separated from loved ones, this comfort is often out of reach. Our solution aims to change that by offering a system that provides a virtual yet tangible support system—a gentle stroke or sympathetic hold on the hand. This innovative approach helps individuals find solace and connection, even when miles apart, aiding them in navigating challenging moments.
Different interactions are performed with the wearable hand sleeve with input transmitting the haptics and output delivering the haptics to other receives.
Final concept sketches of wearable hand sleeves showing the parts & features
Technical walkthrough of how the wearable hand sleeve works and what it consists
App concept - Connect with the Wearable hand sleeve to monitor the status, add friends to share touch and personalize the haptic response and touching warmth.
Designing the Prototype
Working
Prototyping our wearable sleeve involved Arduino UNO, a vibration motor for haptic feedback, thermal sensing, and conducting sheets for touch. User testing and feedback guided iterative improvements, ensuring a well-designed and functional device that enhances the user experience.
Initial evaluations prompted improvements in our hand sleeve prototype, focusing on enhanced comfort, personalized tactile experiences, and added privacy features. Simultaneously, our companion app evolved to include secure one-time pairing for haptic signals, aligning with fashion trends by incorporating a 'half-cut finger' design in the sleeve prototype.
The glove stimulates the feelings of
Haptic feedback is given with a small LRA motor installed.
Touch feedback is received with a Thermo conducting sheet coupled to Thermal Sensors
Battery is installed on the back of the wrist
Currently, Sensors are present on the Thumb and index part of the sleeves for taking the touch input and delivers to the app
Front and Back view of the prototype where, capacitive conducting sheets are placed in palm, thumb and index and middle fingers to sense the touch points and on the backside, the Arduino with thermal sensor & Vibration motors are present.
Companion App Prototype
Connection flow for connecting wearable sleeve and Ties app through Bluetooth. Also, you can connect with your partner securely with a one-time code.
Settings page of the ‘Ties’ app, where you customize the quick gestures and their respective meaning like a single tap to trigger Handshake haptics. Also, you can customize and personalize the Vibrations, Temperature and pressure applied for each gesture.
Apart from Primary (Close) connections, the user can add other connections through the Nudge screen -> ‘Add Connection’
User Testing
Future scope
Record and share touch/ tap motions
Integrating with everyday wear- As a fashion statement
Interactions beyond the coping up panic attacks
Customizable sleeve options
Bringing improved touch experience to the digital world
"How might we help humans express their emotions through tactile experiences so that they can feel loved and cared for, wherever they go?”