Avatouch : A Puppet-based User Interface for Controlling A Robotic Massage Chair

Abstract

We propose a puppet-based user interface - named Avatouch - for specifying massage position without looking at the control device. Users can indicate massage position on their backs by touching the puppet's one (Figurel). Besides, we also develop a massage chair system with both a push-button interface and Avatouch. Experimental results confirm that almost half of subjects kept Avatouch well away from their faces. Furthermore, two participants modulated massage position without looking at the plushie. In this paper, we firstly explain about Avatouch. Then, we describe a massage chair system and a user study to observe how people use each interface. At the end of this paper, we will discuss the advantage and disadvantage of Avatouch.