Molecular implementation of shape-changing user interfaces
2023.
Résumé
Shape-changing user interfaces (UIs), which refer to physical devices capable of altering their form to accommodate users, tasks, or environments, have the potential to bridge the gap between tangible user interfaces' physicality and the flexibility of graphical user interfaces. These UIs offer promising prospects, including adaptive affordances and improved eye-free interaction. However, due to their limited presence in everyday life, they introduce new considerations for the HCI community to examine, as previous research has highlighted the associated challenges.This thesis specifically investigates the challenges related to modular shape-changing interfaces. A crucial initial step involves isolating the design factors and comprehending their relative impact on user interaction. Our objective is to explore the challenges and opportunities presented by modular robots as a novel approach to implementing modular shape-changing UIs. In this context, modular robots are defined as ensembles of robotic modules, which are microelectromechanical systems embedding computational capabilities and enabling shape changes either independently or collectively.The research hypothesis is that modular robots can address the limitations of current implementations of shape-changing UIs, such as pneumatic actuation, rod-based displays, and mechanical structures. Unlike these solutions, modular robots enable the addition of modules to an existing shape and facilitate the attainment of any desired shape, akin to programmable play-doh. This thesis contributes to the field of HCI by: (1) reviewing and structuring the design space of modular shape-changing UIs and (2) conducting user studies to evaluate the impact of three parameters—module size, shape, and strength—on the design of physical interfaces.