OM

Empowering a Paradigm Shift of User-Centric Tactile Communication

Traditional communication heavily relies on sight and sound, creating barriers for those with sensory differences. Project OM sought to create a new, inclusive communication channel using personalized, meaningful and expressive vibrotactile impressions.

Project OM used custom wearable devices with precisely controlled actuators to deliver expressive vibrotactile patterns. These devices wirelessly connected to a companion Android application, providing the interface for creating foundational custom vobrotactile expressions to enable advanced touch-based communications.

The project involved designing hardware (custom PCBs, actuator selection), software (Android app with MVC architecture), and intuitive user interfaces. An emphasis was placed on user-driven customization of vibrotactile patterns to allow for personalized and contextually-rich expressions.

Project OM partnered with organizations like the Hearing House in New Zealand to explore applications for the hearing-impaired community. Field studies validated the intuitive nature of the system and user-driven pattern creation. A publication in MobileHCI and its recognition in the Best Design Awards in New Zealand demonstrate its reach, the innovative nature of the solution, and solidifies its potential for societal impact.
  • Software Engineering
  • Hardware System Design
  • Rapid Prototyping
  • Machine Learning
  • Project Management
  • C
  • C++
  • C#
  • Unity 3D
  • Unreal Engine
  • Android
  • Python
  • Java
  • Kotlin
  • Assembly
  • HDL
  • Embedded Linux
  • Altium Designer
  • LTspice
  • Cadence OrCAD
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Figma

Augmented Human Lab
Website
ACM International Conference on Mobile Human Computer Interaction (MobileHCI 2021)
PDF
Public Good Award - Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Design Awards (2020)
Link

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