Prototyping Tangible User Interfaces: Case Study of the Collaboration between Academia and Industry

Paradigms such User Experience (UX) based design approaches, along with the rise of Tangible User Interfaces, can present hurdles for traditional product manufacturers. Industry collaboration with university potentially allows exploration with such emerging themes, while students are exposed to design challenges from industry. In this paper, we discuss a course, Mechatronic Product Design, where students create Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) in close collaboration with industry. An interdisciplinary design method is described with an emphasis on iterative prototyping-within a project-based learning approach. This includes the importance of (1) a network of industry, (2) a design method using project roadmaps and, (3) the availability of tools and platforms in an exploratory lab environment. Close collaboration between industry and academia made it possible to implement this approach with a total of 77 design cases. Students worked on realistic open-ended design problems using an iterative design approach, while working in multidisciplinary teams. Companies, in turn, are able to explore new ideas at low risk. We found our approach successful, with design cases that lead to novel research, technologies and commercial products. Four specific cases are presented in more detail, while the general insights and guidelines can be used to improve future development of TUIs.