Hold My Hand

Aug - Nov, 2024

HCI Research / Hardware Prototyping / Problem Solving

Inspiration

Once, during a choreography lesson, our teacher instructed us to turn away from the mirror and repeat the dance. Without the mirror, I found it difficult to recall the movements from memory alone. This experience sparked my curiosity about how visually impaired individuals dance.

With 15 years of experience in dance and gymnastics, and now as a designer, I am deeply interested in the relationship between the human body and space. Focusing on the visually impaired, I aspire to develop a new technology to enhance spatial perception for this community.

WHY 
Dance Inprov



  • Random
  • Learn slowly compared to normal people -> but improvisation can be practised and learned fastly



Interview


I find 6 people (3/6 are blind) with different dance background and ask them to dance improv with blindfold.

and I ask: What is the strongest feeling when you are dancing without the eye-sight?



I had my conclusion based on the interview——
Feeling insecure is the biggest obstacle preventing them from dancing. Enhancing their safety involves improving their body balance. Internal sensations offer a unique perspective for creativity.

Secondary Research


By browsing different relevant academic works, I aim to fully understand blind individuals, and I found that... 






Haptic Technology Analysis


By browsing different relevant academic works, I aim to fully understand blind individuals, and I found that...
 

Prototype







User Test



The result was not ideal. 
First, the tactile feedback was too subtle to perceive effectively. The ultrasonic sensor might need at least two arrays to improve detection. Secondly, the battery life is very short, lasting less than one minute, as the ultrasonic sensors were also powered by the drone.

However, user feedback has given me the confidence to continue this work. 
One user mentioned that, although the tactile feedback was light, it enabled her to dance freely—an experience she had never had before.