Workshops and Tutorials

The 2024 Eurohaptics Conference accepted 9 workshops/tutorials, to be held on June 30, 2024. Any question regarding the organization should be sent to workshop@2024.eurohaptics.org.

The workshops/tutorials are located “campus cité scientifique”: direction can be found here.

Final program of the Workshop/tutorial will be given soon.

Enabling artificial agents to communicate with humans through touch (9:00 – 12:30)
Website: https://sites.google.com/unisi.it/eh24-ws-haptic-communication/home-page

This workshop stems from the recognition that haptic technologies hold great potential for enhancing collaboration between humans and artificial systems. With the proliferation of collaborative robots and AI-based assistants, there is an opportunity to leverage haptic interfaces to establish new paradigms of human-robot (physical) communication, beyond standard audiovisual means. Drawing inspiration from human-to-human communication, this workshop aims to explore how haptic technologies can be integrated into human-robot and human-avatar interaction to foster a dual-level connection encompassing both emotional and informational aspects. In the near future, robots will convey task-related information while nurturing an emotional relationship with human collaborators.

Organizers
Tentative list of speakers:
  • Heather Culbertson, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, US.
  • Philipp Beckerle, Full Professor, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. 
  • Gijs Huisman, Assistant Professor of Embodied Interaction, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Technical University of Delft, Netherlands.
  • Roberto Meattini, Assistant Professor, University of Bologna, Italy.
  • Giorgio Cannata, Full Professor of Robotics and Automation, University of Genova, Italy.
  • Claudio Pacchierotti, Researcher, IRISA-CNRS, Rennes, France.
  • Domenico Prattichizzo, Full Professor of Robotics and Haptics, University of Siena, Italy.

Haptics beyond human-centric mimicry and replication (14:00 – 17:00)
Website: https://hapticsbeyond2024.wordpress.com/

How might haptics be differently ‘sensorial’ and ‘sensory-motoric’ beyond the physiological replication of human-touch? This interdisciplinary workshop draws tactile inspirations from the sensory world of plants, the sensory ecology of other animals, and potential dimension of human senses. These three domains offer different entry points and ideas for touch and tactile sensations providing a rich matrix of possibilities. The purpose is to explore and interrogate a range of tactile possibilities, metaphors, and structures to expand how our sensing bodies might engage in a haptic dialogue with the world, and how haptic design might augment and extend human touch experiences.

Organizers
  • Professor Carey Jewitt, UCL Knowledge Lab, Department of Culture, Communication and Media, University College London c.jewitt@ucl.ac.uk
  • Professor Sara Price, UCL Knowledge Lab, Department of Culture, Communication and Media, University College London sara.price@ucl.ac.uk
  • Professor Lucia Seminara, Cosmic Lab, Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Genoa. lucia.seminara@unige.it
Speakers

Towards an Experience-Driven Touch-Based Paradigm for Robots and Technologies in Assistive and Intimate Interactions (9:00 – 12:30)
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/eurohaptics-2024-workshop/home

Touch-based interaction design, especially the features of soft robotic based actuators has shown increasing potential to be applied to healthcare and domestic settings, especially in care and intimate interaction contexts. However, current haptic devices are still very limited in developing richer and more fine-grained haptic sensations for users. The key to unlock these potentials depends on whether the technology can touch well, i.e. whether the experiential quality or affordance matches the expectation for intended use cases. The workshop intends to gather insights from a cross-disciplinary community including (but not limited to): design, engineering, science, psychology, the healthcare professions, and art practitioners, and aims to discuss how to map the experiential qualities of touch in different contexts and the technical parameters to achieve these qualities, with useful tools and datasets.

Organizers
  • Madeline Balaam, professor in Interaction Design, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
  • Caroline Yan Zheng, postdoc fellow, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
  • Georgios Andrikopoulos, assistant professor in Mechatronics and Robot Design, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
  • Naida Berthouze, full professor in Affective Computing and Interaction at the Interaction Centre of the University College London (UCL)
  • Mark Paterson, professor of Sociology, University of Pittsburgh
  • Minna Nygren, postdoctoral research fellow on HCI and HRI, UCLIC, University College London (UCL)
  • Yoav Luft, doctoral student in mediated communications, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Speakers
  • Madeline Balaam
  • Nadia Bertheuze
  • Alexis Block
  • Martina Kelly
  • Mark Paterson
  • Caroline Yan Zheng

Haptic Intelligence Embodied in Artificial Soft Systems (9:00 – 17:30)
Website: https://www.tdaunizeau.com/workshops/eh2024/

The compliance of tissues is arguably what gives its versatility to human and robotic touch. Not only does compliance facilitate manipulation, conform to various shapes, and provide mechanical robustness, but, from a perceptual perspective, it also enriches contact interactions, mediates wave propagation, and diffuses strain to our mechanoreceptors. These qualities are central to designing the next generation of soft robotic grippers, tactile sensors, and interfaces made from skin-mimicking elastomers. This workshop will bring together a panel of experts at the forefront of material science, tribology, robotics, and numerical simulation. We will showcase the recent advances made towards the development of the next generation of soft systems with embodied haptic intelligence.

Organizers
  • Thomas Daunizeau (EPFL)
  • Michaël Wiertlewski (TU Delft)
Speakers
  • Joshua Brown (Imperial College London)
  • Vito Cacucciolo (Politecnico di Bari – MIT)
  • Thomas Daunizeau (EPFL)
  • Charles Dhong (University of Delaware)
  • Christian Duriez (University of Lille – INRIA)
  • Irene Kuling (TU Eindhoven)
  • Amy Kyungwon Han (Seoul National University)
  • Mustafa Mete (EPFL)
  • Allison Okamura (Stanford University)
  • Julien Scheibert (Centrale Lyon – CNRS)
  • Yon Visell (University of California, Santa Barbara)
  • Michaël Wiertlewski (TU Delft)

Touching emotions: Recent advances in affective touch research (9:00 – 12:30)
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/touching-emotions/home?authuser=0

Affective touch is vital for daily interactions, enabling the assessment of (un)pleasantness. In recent decades, affective touch has gained traction, although the field is still in its infancy with many facets yet to be explored. This workshop will cover recent advances in affective touch research. Invited speakers will present recent findings on the interplay between social and physical properties of touch – the fine line between pleasant and unpleasant touch, and the affective experience of haptic wearables. Selected posters will encourage discussions, advancing the ever-evolving field of affective touch!

Organizers
Speakers

The Role and Opportunity of AI in Haptics (14:00 – 17:30)
Website: https://www.touchlessai.eu/workshopai/

Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing haptics, enhancing tactile sensing, texture synthesis, and haptic communication. AI enables robots to mimic human touch. ML algorithms enhance VR via realistic textures and vibration patterns. AI optimizes tactile feedback in multisensory environments, contributing to more immersive media experiences.
The integration of generative AI with haptics is emerging, offering potential for new haptic languages and dynamic feedback mechanisms. This advancement promises enriched digital interactions but raises ethical concerns and calls for standardization.
Our workshop will explore these topics through expert insights and discussions on the future impact of AI in haptics.

Organizers
  • Orestis Georgiou – Head of R&D Partnerships- Ultraleap Ltd
  • Iria Loucaidou – Haptic Helix Manager – CrowdHelix
  • Claudio Pacchierotti – Chargé de Recherche – CNRS
  • Justine Saint-Aubert – Chargé de Recherche – CNRS
Speakers
  • Heather Culbertson
  • Ercan Altinsoy
  • Marianna Obrist
  • Patrick Haggard
  • Amedi Ami

How can we improve affective haptic technologies? Dispelling myths and forwarding the next generation of affective haptics (14:00 – 17:30)
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/affective-haptics

Starting with an introduction to social affective touch, participants will hear about how affective haptic technology spans many domains, from virtual gaming to the metaverse and telemedicine. As tactile experiences intersect with technology, understanding this connection is vital. Our workshop will facilitate a multi-disciplinary discussion on affective haptics in the digital age, based on our current scientific understanding. Live demonstrations will enable participants to experience these technologies and probe their potential uses and limitations. This will be complemented by short talks from a range of experts linking the mechanical aspects of digital touch with multisensory and cognitive contributions of “how it feels”.

Organizers
  • Rochelle Ackerley (CNRS – Aix-Marseille University)
  • Merle Fairhurst (TU Dresden)
Speakers
  • Rochelle Ackerley (co-chair)
  • Merle Fairhurst (co-chair)
  • Robert Kirchner
  • Lisa Lüneberg
  • Roberto Calandra
  • Grace Whitaker
  • Wenhan Sun
  • Maria Rosa Bufo
  • Ralph Pawling
  • Annett Schirmer

Engineering the Unconventional: Dissecting the Design of Non-Traditional Haptic Interfaces (9:00 – 17:30)
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/engineering-the-unconventional/home

Discover the future of haptic technology at our workshop, where we delve into the evolving world of non-traditional haptic interfaces. This session explores haptics beyond screens and how the engineering, UX, and design of novel interaction paradigms have to be balanced when mass production comes into play. We will be exploring gaming controllers, sexual wellness products, haptic seating, and audio/haptic headphones. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, experiencing the latest haptic devices and teardown and examining their design and engineering intricacies. The workshop includes product showcases, guided disassemblies, and group design reviews, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Join us to understand the engineering challenges and creative solutions shaping the future of haptic interfaces.

Organizer

Daniel Shor, Innovobot Labs

Speakers
  • Daniel Shor, Innovobot Labs
  • Danny Grant, Innovobot Labs
  • Manuel Cruz, Onnovobot Labs
  • Eric Vezzoli, Interhaptics / Razer
  • Jakob Rohr, BMW
  • Elisa Santella, GREWUS

Touch Analysis Methods (14:00 – 17:30)
Website: https://www.gdr.tact.uha.fr/2024/04/10/tutorial-workshop-at-eurohaptics-touch-analysis-methods/

The goal of this tutorial is to give an overview of the different methods for touch analysis and to illustrate them through concrete studies using several complementary approaches. The following methods will be considered from the brain to the finger: cognitive psychology (perception analysis), electroencephalography (brain activation analysis), microneurography (analysis of the peripheral nerve impulses), and tribology (friction and friction induced vibrations between the skin and a surface). The purpose will be illustrated by examples of studies including tactile devices.

Organizers
  • Professor Betty SEMAIL, University of Lille, Director of the GDR CNRS TACT 2033
  • Professor Marie-Ange BUENO, University of Haute Alsace, Deputy-director of the GDR CNRS TACT 2033
Speakers
  • Rochelle Ackerley, Aix-Marseille University, France
  • Pierre-Henri Cornuault, University of Besançon, France
  • Jenny Faucheu, Ecole des Mines de Saint Etienne, France
  • David Gueorguiev, CNRS-Sorbonne University, France
  • Floriane Leclinche, University of Haute Alsace, France
  • Laurence Mouchnino, Aix-Marseille University, France
  • Betty Semail, University of Lille, France