Interpersonal Synchrony Over a Distance – the Effect of Network Noise on Synchronization and its Prosocial ConsequencesInterpersonal motor synchronization (IMS) occurs when people move together, in temporal alignment. Being in IMS can result in prosocial effects: increased liking, similarity and trust. We address the possibility of remote IMS (rIMS) between people who are not co-located, through mobile phone interactions. A threat to rIMS is the temporal noise inherent to communication networks. We created a mobile phone application in which a human participant tries to tap in synchrony with a remote participant, that is in fact a responsive computer algorithm. We introduced three levels of synthetic network noise to the joint tapping. We show that pro-sociality can be created in rIMS, but that as network noise increases the prosocial effects decrease. Participants' textual answers are analyzed thematically to learn about the effects of remote synchronization. Our findings motivate the creation of remote interactions with elements of IMS as well as inform the network requirements for successful rIMS.2025MRMichal Rinott et al.Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Software and Information Systems Engineering; Shenkar, Kadar Design and Technology CenterFull-Body Interaction & Embodied InputKnowledge Management & Team AwarenessCHI
Firefighting with Drone Assistance: User Needs and Design Considerations for ThailandDrones are increasingly being deployed to assist firefighting crews in their missions, with the technology being chosen based on availability, rather than aligned with their specific needs. This phenomenon is exacerbated in the Global South, where infrastructure is scarce and where specific processes and user needs have to be adequately mapped to successfully introduce new technologies. We conducted semi-structured interviews with firefighting professionals (N=15) from Thailand, covering their prior experience with drones, challenges they encounter in their job, and how they envision this technology could better support them in the future. Our findings describe users’ technological needs and their expectations in terms of interaction and collaboration with drones. We identified specific challenges in Thailand that hinder the deployment of drone technology, including mismatches in technical and financial decisions. Furthermore, participants advocated for sharing physical systems between fire departments. We conclude with design considerations for drones in resource-limited firefighting contexts.2025CBChandhawat BOONYARD et al.Fédération ENAC ISAE-SUPAERO ONERA, Université de ToulouseDrone Interaction & ControlCHI
Spatial Haptics: A Sensory Substitution Method for Distal Object Detection Using Tactile CuesWe present a sensory substitution-based method for representing locations of remote objects in 3D space via haptics. By imitating auditory localization processes, we enable vibrotactile localization abilities similar to those of some spiders, elephants, and other species. We evaluated this concept in virtual reality by modulating the vibration amplitude of two controllers depending on relative locations to a target. We developed two implementations applying this method using either ear or hand locations. A proof-of-concept study assessed localization performance and user experience, achieving under 30° differentiation between horizontal targets with no prior training. This unique approach enables localization by using only two actuators, requires low computational power, and could potentially assist users in gaining spatial awareness in challenging environments. We compare the implementations and discuss the use of hands as ears in motion, a novel technique not previously explored in the sensory substitution literature.2025IWIddo Yehoshua Wald et al.University of Bremen, Digital Media LabVibrotactile Feedback & Skin StimulationFull-Body Interaction & Embodied InputCHI
Crafting for Emotion Appropriateness in Affective Robotics: Examining the Practicality of the OCC ModelResearch in affective robotics has been using emotions to improve human-robot interaction. One important aspect has been to design recognizable and believable emotions in robotics. Recent work argued that externally displayed emotions on robots may or may not be appropriate for a given situation. However, the selection of emotions as appropriate/inappropriate is not trivial. We here examine the practicality of an established model to craft for emotion appropriateness based on situations of interaction. To do so, we explored the use of the Ortony, Clore, and Collins (OCC) model, which provides a psychological framework of appraisal in which the characteristics of situations are defined and connected to emotions, to identify emotion categories and create contrasting perceptions of emotion appropriateness. We then mapped these categories to four recognizable emotions on aerial robots and designed two video clips (3min35s each) of respectively appropriate and inappropriate emotions. The clips were evaluated in an online study (N=100) where significant differences were found in attitudes toward the robot's emotions. This paper contributes initial findings to designing for emotion appropriateness.2024VHViviane Herdel et al.Social Robot InteractionMobileHCI
At First Light: Expressive Lights in Support of Drone-Initiated CommunicationDrones are increasingly used in situations where they can assist a person. However, people are not familiar with drones approaching them. We propose an expressive light system embedded on a drone to convey its intention to initiate communication, which we present as a four-stage process: Drone-Initiated Engagement Model (DIEM). We then describe the design and development of an LED-based prototype divided in two confgurations with a total of 26 light ani-mations, and report their evaluation in an online survey (N = 156). We describe the suitability of diferent confgurations, animations, and colors to convey each stage of DIEM. We fnally validate our system in a user study (N = 45) that showed that participants can perceive all four stages of approach via the drone movement and that expressive lights provide a more nuanced user experience. We contribute insights into the design of expressive light systems, as a stepping stone towards machine-initiated communication.2023EGEyal Ginosar et al.Ben-Gurion University of the NegevSocial Robot InteractionDrone Interaction & ControlCHI
Spotlights: Designs for Directing Learners' Attention in a Large-Scale Social Annotation PlatformA new approach to online discussion, which situates student discussions in the margins of the course content, can enhance student engagement with course materials. However, in high-enrollment classes, the large number of comments can overwhelm and intimidate students. Some become frustrated by the volume of potential online interactions and by a perceived lack of immediate relevance to their studies. Likewise, instructors are disappointed when outstanding discussions, that they deem valuable for all to see, get lost in the clutter. To address these challenges, we propose visual spotlighting mechanisms for increasing the saliency of selected comments. We piloted and deployed multiple designs in two high-enrollment biology courses at a large public university in the United States. Interviews, surveys, and a controlled experiment show that spotlighting relevant comments in heavily annotated texts positively affects students’ engagement, measured in terms of their attention to comments, and their reported sense of validation and pride. Students also reported their preferences for certain spotlighting designs.2022JAJumana Almahmoud et al.Online Learning; Online LearningCSCW
Above and Beyond: A Scoping Review of Domains and Applications for Human-Drone InteractionInteracting with flying objects has fueled people's imagination throughout history. Over the past decade, the Human-Drone Interaction (HDI) community has been working towards making this dream a reality. Despite notable findings, we lack a high-level perspective on the current and future use cases for interacting with drones. We present a holistic view of domains and applications of use that are described, studied, and envisioned in the HDI body of work. To map the extent and nature of the prior research, we performed a scoping review (N=217). We identified 16 domains and over 100 applications where drones and people interact together. We then describe in depth the main domains and applications reported in the literature and further present under-explored use cases with great potential. We conclude with fundamental challenges and opportunities for future research in the field. This work contributes a systematic step towards increased replicability and generalizability of HDI research.2022VHViviane Herdel et al.Ben-Gurion University of the NegevDrone Interaction & ControlCHI
Naturally Together: A Systematic Approach for Multi-User Interaction With Natural InterfacesNew technology is moving towards intuitive and natural interaction techniques that are increasingly embedded in human space (e.g., home and office environment) and aims to support multiple users, yet their interfaces do not cover it to the full. Imagine that you have a multi-user device, should it act differently in different situations, people, and group settings? Current Multi-User Interfaces address each of the users as an individual that works independently from others, and there is a lack of understanding of the mechanisms that impact shared usage of these products. Thus we have linked environmental (external) and user-centered (internal) factors to the way users interact with multi-user devices. We analyzed 124 papers that involve multi-user interfaces and created a classification model out of 8 factors. Both the model and factors were validated by a large-scale online study. Our model defines the factors affecting multi-user usage with a single device and leads to a decision on the most important ones in different situations. This paper is the first to identify these factors and to create a set of practical guidelines for designing Multi-User Interfaces.2021CSCarmel Shavitt et al.Coordination and CollaborationCSCW
Towards the Right Direction in BiDirectional User InterfacesHundreds of millions of speakers of bidirectional (BiDi) languages rely on writing systems that mix the native right-to-left script with left-to-right strings. The global reach of interactive digital technologies requires special attention to these people, whose perception of interfaces is affected by this script mixture. However, empirical research on this topic is scarce. Although leading software vendors provide guidelines for BiDi design, bidirectional interfaces demonstrate inconsistent and incorrect directionality of UI elements, which may cause user confusion and errors. Through a websites' review, we identified problematic UI items and considered reasons for their existence. In an online survey with 234 BiDi speakers, we observed that in many cases, users' direction preferences were inconsistent with the guidelines. The findings provide potential insights for design rules and empirical evidence for the problem's complexity, suggesting the need for further empirical research and greater attention by the HCI community to the BiDi design problem.2021YGYulia Goldenberg et al.Ben Gurion University of the NegevMultilingual & Cross-Cultural Voice InteractionUniversal & Inclusive DesignCHI
Drone in Love: Emotional Perception of Facial Expressions on Flying RobotsDrones are rapidly populating human spaces, yet little is known about how these flying robots are perceived and understood by humans. Recent works suggested that their acceptance is predicated upon their sociability. This paper explores the use of facial expressions to represent emotions on social drones. We leveraged design practices from ground robotics and created a set of rendered robotic faces that convey basic emotions. We evaluated individuals' response to these emotional facial expressions on drones in two empirical studies (N = 98, N = 98). Our results demonstrate that individuals accurately recognize five drone emotional expressions, as well as make sense of intensities within emotion categories. We describe how participants were emotionally affected by the drone, showed empathy towards it, and created narratives to interpret its emotions. As a consequence, we formulate design recommendations for social drones and discuss methodological insights on the use of static versus dynamic stimuli in affective robotics studies.2021VHViviane Herdel et al.Ben Gurion University of the Negev, University of OldenburgSocial Robot InteractionTeleoperation & TelepresenceCHI
Chasing Lions: Co-Designing Human-Drone Interaction in Sub-Saharan AfricaDrones are an exciting technology that is quickly being adopted in the global consumer market. Africa has become a center of deployment with the first drone airport established in Rwanda and drones currently being used for applications such as medical deliveries, agriculture, and wildlife monitoring. Despite this increasing presence of drones, there is a lack of research on stakeholders' perspectives from this region. We ran a human-drone interaction user study (N=15) with experts from several sub-Saharan countries using a co-design methodology. Participants described novel applications and identified important design aspects for the integration of drones in this context. Our results highlight the potential of drones to address real world problems, the need for them to be culturally situated, and the importance of considering the social aspects of their interaction with humans. This research highlights the need for diverse perspectives in the human-drone interaction design process.2020AWAnna Wojciechowska et al.Drone Interaction & ControlDIS
Social Robot for rehabilitation: Expert clinicians and post-stroke patients' evaluation following a long-term interventionWe developed a novel gamified system for post-stroke long-term rehabilitation, using the humanoid robot Pepper (SoftBank, Aldebaran). In this paper, we present the results of a qualitative study with expert clinicians (n=12) on the compatibility of this system with the needs of post-stroke patients, and of a long-term intervention study with post-stroke participants (n=4) in a rehabilitation facility. Both the clinicians and the patients found the robot and the gamified system engaging, motivating and meet the needs of upper limb rehabilitation. The clinicians gave specific recommendations that may be applicable to a wide range of technologies for post-stroke rehabilitation.2020RPronit feingold polak et al.Vibrotactile Feedback & Skin StimulationSerious & Functional GamesRobots in Education & HealthcareHRI
Physiologically Driven Storytelling: Concept and Software ToolWe put forth Physiologically Driven Storytelling, a new approach to interactive storytelling where narratives adaptively unfold based on the reader's physiological state. We first describe a taxonomy framing how physiological signals can be used to drive interactive systems both as input and output. We then propose applications to interactive storytelling and describe the implementation of a software tool to create Physiological Interactive Fiction (PIF). The results of an online study (N=140) provided guidelines towards augmenting the reading experience. PIF was then evaluated in a lab study (N=14) to determine how physiological signals can be used to infer a reader's state. Our results show that breathing, electrodermal activity, and eye tracking can help differentiate positive from negative tones, and monotonous from exciting events. This work demonstrates how PIF can support storytelling in creating engaging content and experience tailored to the reader. Moreover, it opens the space to future physiologically driven systems within broader application areas.2020JFJérémy Frey et al.Ullo & Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) HerzliyaBiosensors & Physiological MonitoringInteractive Narrative & Immersive StorytellingCHI
Responsive news summarization for ubiquitous consumption on multiple mobile devicesWith the proliferation of online news read on devices ranging from desktops to smart watches, the need for meaningful summaries of long texts is growing. Manual summaries are labour-intensive and cannot be offered for all display sizes, whereas today’s abstracts of most news texts are teasers designed to attract the reader’s interest more than to provide an overview of an article’s content suited to the reader’s information needs. We propose responsive news summarization as a technological approach for filling this gap. Responsive news summarization provides an automatically generated content summary that has the right length for the device requesting the article, plus access to the full text. We describe the system prototype available at multisizenews.com along with the initial user study results and give an outlook on future work.2018RCRocio Chongtay et al.Generative AI (Text, Image, Music, Video)Recommender System UXIUI