Foundations and Trends® in Human–Computer Interaction > Vol 3 > Issue 1–2

Tangible User Interfaces: Past, Present, and Future Directions

By Orit Shaer, Wellesley College, USA, oshaer@wellesley.edu | Eva Hornecker, University of Strathclyde, UK, eva@ehornecker.de

 
Suggested Citation
Orit Shaer and Eva Hornecker (2010), "Tangible User Interfaces: Past, Present, and Future Directions", Foundations and Trends® in Human–Computer Interaction: Vol. 3: No. 1–2, pp 4-137. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/1100000026

Publication Date: 11 Mar 2010
© 2010 O. Shaer and E. Hornecker
 
Subjects
Sensor-based or tangible interaction
 

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In this article:
1 Introduction 
2 Origins of Tangible User Interfaces 
3 Tangible Interfaces in a Broader Context 
4 Application Domains 
5 Frameworks and Taxonomies 
6 Conceptual Foundations 
7 Implementation Technologies 
8 Design and Evaluation Methods 
9 Strengths and Limitations of Tangible User Interfaces 
10 Research Directions 
11 Summary 
Acknowledgments 
References 

Abstract

In the last two decades, Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) have emerged as a new interface type that interlinks the digital and physical worlds. Drawing upon users' knowledge and skills of interaction with the real non-digital world, TUIs show a potential to enhance the way in which people interact with and leverage digital information. However, TUI research is still in its infancy and extensive research is required in order to fully understand the implications of tangible user interfaces, to develop technologies that further bridge the digital and the physical, and to guide TUI design with empirical knowledge.

This monograph examines the existing body of work on Tangible User Interfaces. We start by sketching the history of tangible user interfaces, examining the intellectual origins of this field. We then present TUIs in a broader context, survey application domains, and review frameworks and taxonomies. We also discuss conceptual foundations of TUIs including perspectives from cognitive sciences, psychology, and philosophy. Methods and technologies for designing, building, and evaluating TUIs are also addressed. Finally, we discuss the strengths and limitations of TUIs and chart directions for future research.

DOI:10.1561/1100000026
ISBN: 978-1-60198-328-2
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Table of contents:
1: Introduction
2: Origins of Tangible User Interfaces
3: Tangible Interfaces in a Broader Context
4: Application Domains
5: Frameworks and Taxonomies
6: Conceptual Foundations
7: Implementation Technologies
8: Design and Evaluation Methods
9: Strengths and Limitations of Tangible User Interfaces
10: Research Directions
Summary
Acknowledgements
References

Tangible User Interfaces

Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) have emerged as a new interface type that interlinks the digital and physical worlds. Drawing upon users' knowledge and skills of interaction with the real non-digital world, TUIs show a potential to enhance the way in which people interact with and leverage digital information. However, TUI research is still in its infancy and extensive research is required in order to fully understand the implications of tangible user interfaces, to develop technologies that further bridge the digital and the physical, and to guide TUI design with empirical knowledge. Tangible User Interfaces: Past, Present and Future Directions surveys this rich and diverse field of research. It evaluates the existing body of knowledge with respect to designing, implementing, and evaluating TUIs, highlighting perspectives from human-computer interaction, design, engineering, psychology and cognitive sciences. It concludes with a discussion on the strengths and limitations of TUIs and charts directions for future research.

 
HCI-026