Tactile Narratives in Virtual Reality

Abstract

This research explores how to design haptic feedback systems in virtual reality (VR) environments to support relational presence, a concept central to the design of Virtual Learning Environments. Unlike traditional presence, which focuses on simulation, interactivity, and user satisfaction, relational presence emphasizes engagement with values such as impression, witnessing, self-awareness, awareness of difference, interpretation, inquiry, and affective dissonance. The objective is to develop haptic designs that enhance these aspects of relational presence, facilitating users’ engagement with challenging content that prompts thoughtful questions about responsibility and action. The key technical contributions to this project include the design and implementation of the haptic feedback system, VR User Interface, the development of the Sankofa Interface, and enhancements to the Macaron haptic editor. These efforts were essential in aligning haptic feedback with emotional and narrative arcs, helping to refine the interaction design and ensure its effectiveness in promoting relational presence. The integration of advanced programming techniques and responsive haptic feedback synchronized with audio-visual elements contributed to the creation of a cohesive and relationally enhanced VR environment. Through these technical developments, this research identified mechanisms and design criteria that could help align haptic feedback with emotional and narrative arcs, potentially enhancing users’ connection to the content and fostering a more reflective and empathetic engagement. By focusing on creating interactions that resonate emotionally and cognitively with users, rather than just achieving representational fidelity, this research contributes design principles that enable haptic technology to foster a richer, more reflective user experience in educational and narrative-driven VR applications.