Facilitating Flexible Force Feedback Design with Feelix

Abstract

In the last decade, haptic actuators have improved in quality and efficiency, enabling easier implementation in user interfaces. One of the next steps towards a mature haptics field is a larger and more diverse toolset that enables designers and novices to explore with the design and implementation of haptic feedback in their projects. In this paper, we look at several design projects that utilize haptic force feedback to aid interaction between the user and product. We analysed the process interaction designers went through when developing their haptic user interfaces. Based on our insights, we identified requirements for a haptic force feedback authoring tool. We discuss how these requirements are addressed by 'Feelix', a tool that supports sketching and refinement of haptic force feedback effects.