Inclusion considerations
Inclusion considerations
Sensory and physical diversity
People vary widely in their tactile sensitivity and some may experience any form of touch as intrusive. Allowing users to personalise the intensity and pattern of stimulation, such as the rhythm, duration and spatial distribution of haptic pulses, can help mitigate this97, as can providing explicit advance warnings when touch will be used in an experience.
Wearable systems vary widely in form, ranging from full-body suits to more localised devices such as bracelets, chest straps, gloves, headbands or trouser-based systems. Across these formats, devices should adapt to diverse body shapes, sizes and mobility levels. Currently, many commercial wearable suits are based on the average male body98. For users with shorter statures, curved spines, wider hips or breasts, sensors and actuators can shift out of place, reducing feedback quality or creating unnecessary pressure points. Vibration can also be perceived as intrusive for some individuals. To help offset this, modular panels99 with elastic lacing or velcro allow sleeves and torso sections to be adjusted independently around the hips, waist and chest.
Assistive opportunities
Haptics can be used to augment audio feedback, help people with spatial orientation and improve access for people with visual impairments. They can also provide an alternative route into rhythm and atmosphere for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. For example, Coldplay's Music of the Spheres tour (2022–25), mentioned earlier, began offering wearable bass-responsive vests and vibration backpacks, allowing audience members to feel the bass and rhythm.