Exploration of Embodied Space Experience through Umbilical Interaction: A Grounded Theory Approach

2025-10-11

AI Summary

This paper addresses the limitations of human-centered design in HCI—specifically its neglect of interface ontology and embodied experience—by proposing an “interface-centered” paradigm. We designed and empirically evaluated Umbilink, a wearable haptic interface inspired by umbilical connectivity: it employs rhythmic vibrotactile stimulation and enveloping pressure sensing to simulate uterine conditions, inducing pre-subjective, sensory-reduced states. Grounded in Hookway’s interface philosophy, phenomenology, and embodied interaction theory, the study integrated haptic sensing, rhythmic feedback, and semi-structured interviews, with data analyzed via grounded theory. Results demonstrate that Umbilink effectively supports liminal experiences—including meditation, therapeutic relaxation, and sleep—and reveal the design significance of wearing rituals as transitional practices. Contributions include: (1) a taxonomy of embodied interfaces; (2) the ontological positioning of interfaces as cognitive mediators; and (3) an extensible exploratory prototype and methodological framework.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Intelligent User Interfaces
• Intelligent Robots: Human-Robot Interaction
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Simulating Human Behavior

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience
• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Incentives in network design for Web infrastructures and ecosystems

Abstract

This paper critiques the limits of human-centered design in HCI, proposing a shift toward Interface-Centered Design. Drawing on Hookway's philosophy of interfaces, phenomenology, and embodied interaction, we created Umbilink, an umbilical interaction device simulating a uterine environment with tactile sensors and rhythmic feedback to induce a pre-subjectivized state of sensory reduction. Participants' experiences were captured through semi-structured interviews and analyzed with grounded theory. Our contributions are: (1) introducing the novel interface type of Umbilical Interaction; (2) demonstrating the cognitive value of materialized interfaces in a human-interface-environment relation; (3) highlighting the design role of wearing rituals as liminal experiences. As a pilot study, this design suggests imaginative applications in healing, meditation, and sleep, while offering a speculative tool for future interface research.

Problem

• Critiquing human-centered design limits in HCI
• Proposing Interface-Centered Design with umbilical interaction
• Exploring sensory reduction via materialized interfaces

Innovation

• Umbilical interaction device simulating uterine environment
• Tactile sensors and rhythmic feedback induce sensory reduction
• Materialized interfaces demonstrate human-interface-environment relations