A multi-touch interface for multi-robot path planning and control

In the last few years, research in human-robot interaction has moved beyond the issues concerning the design of the interaction between a person and a single robot. Today many researchers have shifted their focus toward the problem of how humans can control a multi-robot team. The rising of multi-touch devices provides a new range of opportunities in this sense. Our research seeks to discover new insights and guidelines for the design of multi-touch interfaces for the control of biologically inspired multi-robot teams. We have developed an iPad touch interface that lets users exert partial control over a set of autonomous robots. The interface also serves as an experimental platform to study how human operators design multi-robot motion in a pursuit-evasion setting

An acoustic multi-touch sensing method using amplitude disturbed ultrasonic wave diffraction patterns

This paper proposes an acoustic multi-touch tactile sensing method. The proposed method is based on an amplitude disturbed ultrasonic wave diffraction pattern. An A0 Lamb wave transmitted in a thin finite copper plate is processed to provide tactile information, for one or two fingers. A touch event is localized by identifying the diffraction signals among a database of diffracted Lamb wave references. Statistic models are used to improve the localization reliability. An artificial silicone finger is used in the calibration procedure. This touch interface is evaluated as a 2-touch interface

Exploring the Front Touch Interface for Virtual Reality Headsets

In this paper, we propose a new interface for virtual reality headset: a touchpad in front of the headset. To demonstrate the feasibility of the front touch interface, we built a prototype device, explored VR UI design space expansion, and performed various user studies. We started with preliminary tests to see how intuitively and accurately people can interact with the front touchpad. Then, we further experimented various user interfaces such as a binary selection, a typical menu layout, and a keyboard. Two-Finger and Drag-n-Tap were also explored to find the appropriate selection technique. As a low-cost, light-weight, and in low power budget technology, a touch sensor can make an ideal interface for mobile headset. Also, front touch area can be large enough to allow wide range of interaction types such as multi-finger interactions. With this novel front touch interface, we paved a way to new virtual reality interaction methods

Poking fun at the surface: exploring touch-point overloading on the multi-touch tabletop with child users

In this paper a collaborative game for children is used to explore touch-point overloading on a multi-touch tabletop. Understanding the occurrence of new interactional limitations, such as the situation of touch-point overloading in a multi-touch interface, is highly relevant for interaction designers working with emerging technologies. The game was designed for the Microsoft Surface 1.0 and during gameplay the number of simultaneous touch-points required gradually increases to beyond the physical capacity of the users. Studies were carried out involving a total of 42 children (from 2 different age groups) playing in groups of between 5-7 and all interactions were logged. From quantitative analysis of the interactions occurring during the game and observations made we explore the impact of overloading and identify other salient findings. This paper also highlights the need for empirical evaluation of the physical and cognitive limitations of interaction with emerging technologies

User-Centred Design and Development of an Intelligent Light Switch for Sensor Systems

The aim of the research was the user-centred design of an intelligent light switch with a focus on the definition of the natural and intuitive gestures for its manipulation, and to develop a multi-touch user interface and smart touch-based light switch that could be integrated into existing home environments and electrical wiring, with or without an existing intelligent system. After usability testing a prototype of the switch was constructed. The touch-panel, as the main interface, gave the users the ability to control one or more individual lights or light groups. The intuitive touch gestures for controlling the lighting were acquired with paper prototypes that were used for testing, and then integrated in the physical prototype. The results show that user-centred design is a valuable method for creating an intelligent touch-based light switch with a good user experience design, with or without a multi-touch user interface, and thus an approach that should be implemented in the development of a smart product

TOU-AR:Touchable Interface for Interactive Interaction in Augmented Reality Environment

Touchable interface is one of the future interfaces that can be implemented at any medium such as water, table or even sand. The word multi touch refers to the ability to distinguish between two or more fingers touching a touch-sensing surface, such as a touch screen or a touch pad. This interface is provided tracking the area by using depth camera and projected the interface into the medium. This interface is widely used in augmented reality environment. User will project the particular interface into real world medium and user hand will be tracked simultaneously when touching the area. User can interact in more freely ways and as natural as human did in their daily lif

An acoustic multi-touch sensing method using amplitude disturbed ultrasonic wave diffraction patterns

This paper proposes an acoustic multi-touch tactile sensing method. The proposed method is based on an amplitude disturbed ultrasonic wave diffraction pattern. An A0 Lamb wave transmitted in a thin finite copper plate is processed to provide tactile information, for one or two fingers. A touch event is localized by identifying the diffraction signals among a database of diffracted Lamb wave references. Statistic models are used to improve the localization reliability. An artificial silicone finger is used in the calibration procedure. This touch interface is evaluated as a 2-touch interface.International audienceThis paper proposes an acoustic multi-touch tactile sensing method. The proposed method is based on an amplitude disturbed ultrasonic wave diffraction pattern. An A0 Lamb wave transmitted in a thin finite copper plate is processed to provide tactile information, for one or two fingers. A touch event is localized by identifying the diffraction signals among a database of diffracted Lamb wave references. Statistic models are used to improve the localization reliability. An artificial silicone finger is used in the calibration procedure. This touch interface is evaluated as a 2-touch interface

Multi-touch interaction for interface prototyping

Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Informática e Computação. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 201

Designing interaction for a multi-touch wall

As large-scale display and multi-touch technologies become more affordable, the market has seen the development of multi-touch walls. This new medium offers a unique mix of information density, direct interactivity and collaboration support, and the new features have radical effects on interaction design. Here we explore some research issues together with proposed solutions and some design suggestions, based on our own approach to three areas of interaction design: multi-touch input, user interface and co-located collaboration