MASTER THESIS

A Haptic Orientation Guide for Resonant, Explorative Walks

year 2024
thesis at University of Applied Sciences, Magdeburg-Stendal
course Master Interaction Design
Supervised by Prof. Steffi HUßlein, Prof. Henrik Rieß, DR. Sandra Maria Geschke

The problem with mass tourism is that too many people visit the same sights at the same time. The RESONATE orientation guide aims to bring the adventurous and transformative nature of travel back to the fore. It is not a turn-by-turn navigation device, but rather supports solo travelers in exploring a city by indicating the direction and an approximate distance to the destination or an interesting place nearby. You have to find your own way there. Detours and dead ends are part of the experience. Because the most unforgettable moments are usually the unplanned and unexpected ones. This type of travel encourages a certain type of relationship with the world, which sociologist Hartmut Rosa calls “resonance”. Resonant experiences lead to a deeper emotional experience, a sense of connection and the development of intercultural understanding. Navigation via the smartphone is not only distracting, but also prevents resonance by lowering the gaze. The device's feedback therefore focuses on haptic impressions that can be felt with the hand. This frees up the gaze to make eye contact with people and objects in the environment, thereby increasing the likelihood of resonant experiences. The external design and the haptic feedback are reminiscent of a heart, which ties in with the metaphor “Follow your heart”. This emotional level of meaning is intended to create a positive mood during product interaction, which also promotes resonance.