Enhancing Social Hiking through Embodied Interaction
Designing for 'In-the-Moment' Experiences, Navigation, and Self-Extension
Year
June 2023
Team/
Bhakti Moghe Euodia Louis Setiono Oei Eve Martina Lange Md Habibur Rahman Muneeb Sarfraz Yuanxi Jiang
Overview
This project explores embodied interaction in social hiking, investigating how hikers experience navigation, presence, and self-extension while exploring nature. Through ethnographic observations, participatory design, and iterative prototyping, we developed a wearable haptic navigation aid that enhances in-the-moment awareness and wayfinding without digital distractions. The findings contribute to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), embodied design, and nature-based user experiences.
My Role/
UX Researcher Interaction Designer
Research & Domain Analysis
Objectives
Understand how hikers navigate and stay present in-the-moment.
Identify challenges and affordances in current hiking experiences.
Design a wearable prototype that enhances navigation while maintaining immersion.
Methodology: Observations, Interviews & Thematic Analysis
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Ethnographic Observations & Preliminary Study
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Conducted two hiking observations on Linnaeus’ Danmark Trail (11-12km, 20 hikers) and Gamla Trail (7km, 10 hikers) to examine real-world navigation behaviors and social interactions.
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Observed how hikers interact with physical and digital navigation tools, including maps, signposts, and mobile applications.
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Documented decision-making strategies for route selection, collaborative wayfinding, and adjustments based on terrain difficulty and environmental factors.
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Recorded hikers' real-time reactions to unexpected trail diversions and observed how they adapted to uncertainty.
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InterviewsTwo in-depth interviews with a hike leader and a participant.
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Focused on hiking motivations, wayfinding preferences, and distractions.
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Key insight: Physical signposts are preferred over digital maps, as they keep hikers more alert and engaged.
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Thematic Analysis & In-Depth Findings
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Structured qualitative coding was used to analyze interview transcripts and observation notes.
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Identified three key themes with deeper insights:
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In-the-Moment Awareness: Hikers engaged more deeply with their surroundings when they relied on bodily cues rather than digital screens. Those who used digital maps often felt disconnected from their immediate environment.
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Navigation & Decision-Making: Participants relied on a mix of trail markers, physical memory, and group discussions. Digital aids were often secondary and used only when uncertainty arose.
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Extension of Self & Tool Usage: Hikers intuitively adapted objects (e.g., sticks, ropes) to aid in navigation, stability, and interaction with the terrain. This inspired the wearable haptic device design.
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First and second observations’ thematic analysis
Background & Embodied Interaction
TheoriesTheoretical Framework
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Embodied Interaction (Dourish, 2004): How digital tools become extensions of the body.
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Navigation as a Sensory Experience: Hikers rely on bodily movement, terrain feel, and social cues.
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Haptic & Visual Feedback: How non-digital cues enhance immersion and reduce cognitive load.
Design Process & Prototyping
Bodystorming & Ideation: Exploring Embodied Navigation
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Conducted a semi-hike bodystorming session with 20 participants, simulating real-world hiking conditions to explore intuitive navigation strategies.
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Assigned three embodied interaction prompts:
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Navigation Without Screens: How do hikers rely on bodily movement and environmental cues without digital aids?
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In-the-Moment Awareness: How do physical actions enhance or disrupt immersion in the hiking experience?
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Extension of Self: How do hikers naturally use objects as bodily extensions for navigation and balance?
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Encouraged participants to experiment with natural objects (sticks, stones, ropes) as navigational and sensory aids, mimicking potential wearable interactions.
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Noted key behaviors: hikers used sticks as pointing devices, ropes for directional guidance, and terrain feel for decision-making.
Bodystorming Analysis
Connecting three prompts to find ideas
Mind Mapping of possible areas to work on and the actuators considered for the various elements.
Prototyping: From Concept to Wearable Device
We explored three design alternatives:
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Haptic Feedback Device (Vibration Motor):
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Provides vibration cues to guide navigation.
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Users receive increasing vibration intensity when moving off-trail.
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Prioritizes intuitive, non-visual feedback.
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Compass-Like Device (Rotational Movement):
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Uses servo motors to point toward the correct path.
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Mimics a physical compass for intuitive wayfinding.
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Provides directional guidance while preserving immersion.
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Visual Feedback (LED Stick):
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Changes brightness based on navigation accuracy.
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Minimized due to sunlight visibility issues.
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Evaluation & Findings
Testing, Iteration & User Feedback
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Three rounds of field testing conducted with regular hikers and experienced trail guides to refine the prototype.
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Wizard of Oz method used to simulate device behavior, ensuring controlled evaluation of feedback mechanisms.
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Participants navigated predefined trails using prototypes, and feedback was collected on usability, comfort, and interaction intuitiveness.
Iteration Process & Refinements
Iteration 1: Initial Prototype Testing
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Conducted on a controlled hiking trail with 5 participants.
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Identified haptic intensity inconsistencies—some feedback was too weak, while others were overwhelming.
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Adjusted vibration frequency and intensity levels to provide clearer yet non-intrusive navigation guidance.
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Feedback: Users found vibrations useful but needed better differentiation between left and right turns.
Alternative 1: Controlled the vibration using potentiometer
Sketch of how the alternative 1 - vibrating device works
Alternative 2: The potentiometer was used to control the movement or rotation of the object
Sketch of how alternative 2 (compass-like) device works
Alternative 3: LED was positioned at the top end of the stick
Sketch of how alternative 3 (visual feedback) works
Iteration 2: Wearability & Comfort Enhancements
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Conducted with 8 participants on an extended hiking route.
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Switched from a clip-on device to a wristband format, improving stability and ease of use.
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Adjusted material to lightweight, water-resistant fabric for durability in various weather conditions.
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Feedback: Users reported higher comfort and easier interaction, but some suggested finer control over vibration intensity.
Alternative 1 - Haptic Feedback Using Vibration Motor (2 variants)
Left: variant 1 with ERM vibration motor, Right: variant 2 with LRA
Alternative 2 - Compass-Like device using Rotational Movement (Servos)
Iteration 3: Adaptive Feedback & Final Testing
Conducted with 10 experienced hikers in mixed terrain conditions.
Introduced adjustable vibration settings, allowing users to customize intensity based on trail complexity.
Evaluated real-time navigation accuracy, confirming that hikers could follow trails without checking their phones.
Feedback: The system improved autonomy, but further studies were suggested for long-term behavioral adaptation.
From left: Variant 3, variant 2, variant 1
Sketch of the final prototype (variant 1) works. All variants have the same functions, but just slightly different shapes.
Key Findings & Insights
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Haptic navigation required no visual attention, supporting in-the-moment awareness.
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Overly directive feedback (compass device) reduced autonomy and made hikers feel "controlled".
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Light-based feedback was impractical due to daylight conditions.
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Wearability mattered: Users preferred wristbands or attachable devices over handheld objects.
Final Prototype: Haptic Navigation Aid
Based on user feedback, the final wearable device integrated:
✅ Haptic Feedback (Vibration Motor) for subtle guidance.
✅ Customizable feedback intensity to balance direction and autonomy.
✅ Wristband or attachable form for hands-free use.
Impact & Future Considerations
Key Contributions
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Advances embodied interaction research in outdoor navigation.
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Provides alternative wayfinding methods without digital screens.
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Explores haptic design principles in real-world movement scenarios.
Future Research Directions
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Adaptive AI-driven haptic navigation. Explore how AI can dynamically adjust haptic feedback based on terrain difficulty, user behavior, and environmental conditions. This could enhance personalization and responsiveness in real-time navigation.
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Explore material choices and Wearability. Investigate lightweight, flexible, and weather-resistant materials to improve user comfort and long-term usability of wearable haptic devices.
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Study long-term impact on navigation habits and immersion. Conduct extended field studies to examine how prolonged use of haptic navigation influences hikers' spatial awareness, reliance on digital aids, and overall immersion in nature.