For the automotive domain, shape-changing interfaces hold potential as an interaction modality since they offer modalities that do not rely on the drivers vision such as traditional screen-based interfaces.

Our shape-changing car-seat backrest lets the driver haptically sense obstacles in the rear periphery. The implemented prototype with a 4 x 4 array of servomotors changes the shape of the
car-seat backrest. It delivers a continuous dorsal sensory augmentation of the rear periphery.

Goals

• Explore the potential of the car seat’s backrest for spatial sensing of the rear periphery through continuous shape-changing dorsal haptic stimulation.
• Increase driver engagement by enabling the driver to to feel what happens behind the car.