User-centered design proposals for prototyping haptic user interfaces

The range of applications for haptic user interfaces is wide, but although haptics offer unique qualities to user interfaces, the rate of adoption and implementation of haptics in commercialized products is relatively low. The challenges of building low-cost flexible prototypes with haptics in the early stages of product development are believed to be a contributing factor to this. This paper addresses these specific challenges in relation to the user-centered design process. A case where prototypes were used in the early project stage is presented as an example of possibilities of prototyping haptic feedback. Finally, general recommendations for how to prototype haptic user interfaces that support both technological development and usability are listed. These are comprised by: 1) Build on the tradition of user-centered design, 2) Prototype from day one, 3) Substitute technology, 4) Build several different prototypes, 5) Develop a vocabulary, 6) Stick with the heuristics. These recommendations can contribute to a better understanding of how haptics can be handled in the design process as well as guide future haptic research.