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Related Experiment Videos

Touchable objects: attributes applied to the design of computer input devices.

Hugh McLoone1

  • 1Hardware Design Group, Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399, USA.

Ergonomics
|November 13, 2003
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Designers explored tactile qualities of objects that encourage touch. This research informed the design of comfortable and engaging computer trackballs, potentially rooted in natural human experiences.

Area of Science:

  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Product Design
  • Haptic Perception

Background:

  • Product design often prioritizes comfort, but the sensory experience of touch is crucial for user engagement.
  • Understanding what makes objects 'enjoyable to touch' can lead to more intuitive and satisfying product interactions.
  • Existing research on tactile qualities in product design is limited, particularly concerning user motivation for prolonged touch.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the specific attributes of objects that elicit a desire to touch and maintain contact.
  • To identify the underlying motivations and sensory qualities that contribute to a positive tactile experience.
  • To apply findings from tactile object research to the design of computer peripherals, specifically trackballs.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Conducted focus group discussions where participants brought objects they found highly touchable.
  • Analyzed participants' motivations for selecting specific objects based on their tactile properties.
  • Documented and analyzed the physical characteristics (size, weight, shape, surface, color) of the selected objects.

Main Results:

  • Identified key object attributes that promote tactile engagement and prolonged interaction.
  • Discerned user motivations, linking them to specific sensory experiences and object qualities.
  • The research directly influenced the development of new trackball designs aimed at enhancing user comfort and interaction.

Conclusions:

  • The qualities that make objects enjoyable to touch are distinct from mere comfort and significantly impact user experience.
  • Findings suggest that desirable tactile attributes may be influenced by long-term human evolutionary experiences with natural materials and forms.
  • Applying principles of tactile object design can lead to more ergonomically pleasing and engaging human-computer interaction devices.