Haptics in remote collaborative exercise systems for seniors

• Main Authors: ALIZADEH, Hesam, TANG, Richard, SHARLIN, Ehud, TANG, Anthony
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2014
• Subjects: Exergame; Haptic feedback; Interpersonal synchronization; Databases and Information Systems; Information Security; Rehabilitation and Therapy
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/8027; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/9030/viewcontent/2559206.2581318.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Group exercise provides motivation to follow and maintain a healthy daily exercise schedule while enjoying beneficial encouragement and social support from friends and exercise partners. However, mobility and transportation issues frequently prevent seniors from engaging in group activities. To address this problem, we investigated the exercise needs of seniors and developed a prototype remote exercise system. Our system uses haptic feedback to simulate assistive pushing and pulling of limbs when exercising with a partner. We developed three distinct vibration metaphors -- constant push/pull, corrective feedback, and notification -- to convey engagement and connection between exercise partners. We conducted a preliminary evaluation of our system and our vibration metaphors to determine the validity of our design concepts. We contribute a set of lessons on the use of haptic feedback for remote group exercise.