We compared two compliance types: (a) Deformable samples with soft, elastic surfaces, and (b) Movable samples, in which a rigid platform can be displaced downwards, of different stiffnesses, to (c) a Rigid sample (c).
Overview of the FID (Force-Input Device) and its components. (a) The FID is shown in isolation. (b) The FID with a deformable sample, (c) movable sample, and (d) rigid sample attached. (e) Detailed construction of the FID, with the internal components labelled, including two cross-sectional views.
Setup for Studies 1–3. Including the selection clicker (a) held in the participant’s non-dominant hand; the touchscreen display (b) showing the study tasks and used input survey responses; and the opaque box (c) obscuring the participant’s dominant hand and the sample from their view.Overview
- Conference: UIST 2025
- Type: TOCHI journal paper
- Goal: Understand how surface compliance influences force-based interaction.
People
James Nash
Kim Sauvé
Adwait Sharma
Christopher Clarke
Jason Alexander
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Abstract
The force modality fundamentally transforms the interaction space of traditional touch input. When paired with compliant devices, which deform under force and provide immediate haptic feedback, there is potential to enhance user interactions significantly. However, the effects of compliance on force-input remain under-explored, with limited understanding of their full potential. This article presents the first systematic investigation of the impact of deformable, movable, and rigid surfaces on user performance and experience through three rigorous studies (each N = 28). The results reveal previously unreported effects, including (1) higher maximum comfortable forces on deformable surfaces, (2) user preference for soft and deformable surfaces over rigid surfaces, and (3) improved ability to maintain force input on softer surfaces. These results highlight the benefits of compliant surfaces, contrasting with the dominant use of force-input on rigid devices. These findings guide researchers and designers in optimizing user experience and performance of force-input interactions.