ANISMA: A Prototyping Toolkit to Explore Haptic Skin Deformation Applications Using Shape-Memory Alloys

ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, vol. 29, pp. 1–34

Abstract

We present ANISMA, a software and hardware toolkit to prototype on-skin haptic devices that generate skin deformation stimuli like pressure, stretch, and motion using shape-memory alloys (SMAs). Our toolkit embeds expert knowledge that makes SMA spring actuators more accessible to human–computer interaction (HCI) researchers. Using our software tool, users can design different actuator layouts, program their spatio-temporal actuation and preview the resulting deformation behavior to verify a design at an early stage. Our toolkit allows exporting the actuator layout and 3D printing it directly on skin adhesive. To test different actuation sequences on the skin, a user can connect the SMA actuators to our customized driver board and reprogram them using our visual programming interface. We report a technical analysis, verify the perceptibility of essential ANISMA skin deformation devices with 8 participants, and evaluate ANISMA regarding its usability and supported creativity with 12 HCI researchers in a creative design task.

Authors 7

1. Moritz Alexander Messerschmidt

   University of Auckland

   Affiliation as printed

   Augmented Human Lab, Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

2. Sachith Muthukumarana

   University of Auckland

   Affiliation as printed

   Augmented Human Lab, Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

3. Nur Al-huda Hamdan Aachen Media Computing Group Computer Science Department

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Media Computing Group, Computer Science Department, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

4. Adrian Wagner Aachen Media Computing Group Computer Science Department

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Media Computing Group, Computer Science Department, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

5. Haimo Zhang

   University of Auckland

   Affiliation as printed

   Augmented Human Lab, Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

6. Jan Borchers Aachen Media Computing Group Computer Science Department

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Media Computing Group, Computer Science Department, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

7. Suranga Chandima Nanayakkara

   University of Auckland

   Affiliation as printed

   Augmented Human Lab, Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand