Tangible user interface: origins, development, and future trends

Abstract

Tangible user interface (TUI) is a new paradigm in the field of human-computer interaction. Coupling with physical objects and digital information, TUI allows user to perform natural actions such as grasping, moving and assembling, to manipulate digital information. With latest approaches of integrating actuators, a TUI can also move actively or change shape by itself, enabling physical feedbacks. TUI can be used in many application domains including information visualization, daily work, edutainment and supporting creativity. This paper introduces the origins and development of tangible user interfaces, and discusses the theoretical frameworks, implementation technologies, application domains and future research trends for TUIs. 1