HUMANNESS
A cross-disciplinary research study into the perceived tactile pleasantness and humanness of textile materials to expand the body of research around our understanding of C-Tactile Receptors in the skin.
PROCESS
Cognitive Science Research
Multi-disciplinary Team
Design Research
Stakeholder Engagement
Strategic Design
OUTCOME
Published Research Paper
DATE
Jan 2018 - Jan 2019
ROLE
Project Manager, Design Researcher, Stakeholder Manager, Experiment Design.
PARTNERS
Professor Dr. Annett Schirmer, CUHK
Professor Dr. Darwin Lau, CUHK
PUBLICATION
Journal of Experimental Psychology, American Psychological Association, 2019
OVERVIEW
PROCESS
“Humanness” is the embodiment of an extensive series of research experiments investigating how the human “feel” of touch affects the perceived pleasantness of a range of material textures. Establishing a cross-disciplinary team enabled the research study to draw from expertise across design, robotics engineering and neuropsychology.
OUTCOME
The study revealed an overlap in the perceptual properties of touch that we perceive as pleasant and human (e.g., CT-optimal velocity, smooth contact) and showed that both perceptions are strongly positively related.
Experiment Design Set Up
C-TACTILE RESEARCH
C-T (C Tactile) Afferents are human nerve receptors, typically stimulated through light pressure which produces a gentle, consistently pleasurable feeling. Investigation into C-tactile fibers is helping to explain how touch promotes bonding and social development, however this area of research is in its infancy. With greater understanding of C-T Afferents we can have a more comprehensive understanding of how touch informs social interaction and brain development.
Experiment Design Set Up
Experiment Design Set Up
CUSTOM-BUILT APPARATUS
In order to control the material’s velocity, the research team looked to robotics to find a solution. A custom-built robotic skin stimulation device was used to deliver controlled touch. The device scaled-down existing kinematic systems used for construction - to human arm scale. Using a custom-designed 3D printed form to hold the textile materials. The unique system which incorporated sensors enabled both controlled speed stimulation and pressure required for the experiment.
Published Research in Journal of Experimental Psychology
REFLECTIONS
Establishing a multi-disciplinary team has enabled a thorough investigation into the relationship between perceived pleasure and humanness in non-human materials (textiles); in the hope to add to this limited field of current research. This research can now be applied to real-world products, enhancing interactions and enabling a better understanding of what “human” interactions are and can be in the future.
Published Research in Journal of Experimental Psychology