VRTouch
VRTouch
Creating a realistic online shopping experience.
Creating a realistic online shopping experience.
A modular haptic suit paired with a VR headset that allows users to experience the texture, weight, and temperature of items in virtual environments.
A modular haptic suit paired with a VR headset that allows users to experience the texture, weight, and temperature of items in virtual environments.
A modular haptic suit paired with a VR headset that allows users to experience the texture, weight, and temperature of items in virtual environments.
Role
UI/UX Designer
Researcher
Video Editor
UI/UX Designer
Researcher
Video Editor
UI/UX Designer
Researcher
Video Editor
Project Duration
13 weeks
13 weeks
13 weeks
Team
4 UI/UX Designer
and Researcher
4 UI/UX Designer
and Researcher
4 UI/UX Designer
and Researcher
Online shopping offers unmatched convenience, yet one persistent limitation remains: users cannot physically interact with products before making a purchase. This gap leads to hesitation, dissatisfaction, and high return rates, especially in categories like clothing and furniture, where the feel of the material plays a crucial role in decision-making.
User Findings and Research
User Findings and Research
we conducted interviews with frequent online shoppers to understand their frustration & process.
we conducted interviews with frequent online shoppers to understand their frustration & process.
we conducted interviews with frequent online shoppers to understand their frustration & process.
we conducted interviews with frequent online shoppers to understand their frustration & process.
Majority users prefer online shopping but avoid items requiring a sense of "touch".
Majority users prefer online shopping but avoid items requiring a sense of "touch".
Majority users prefer online shopping but avoid items requiring a sense of "touch".
Purchasing decisions are based on reviews, real images, & return policies.
Purchasing decisions are based on reviews, real images, & return policies.
Purchasing decisions are based on reviews, real images, & return policies.
Returns are common due to discrepancies between expectations & received products.
Returns are common due to discrepancies between expectations & received products.
Returns are common due to discrepancies between expectations & received products.
Users want a system that convincingly replicates physical qualities of a product.
Users want a system that convincingly replicates physical qualities of a product.
Users want a system that convincingly replicates physical qualities of a product.
Defining Our Scope
Defining Our Scope
With the data we gathered from all the extensive interviews, we created user personas that resembles the needs and wants of the interviewees mentioned.
With the data we gathered from all the extensive interviews, we created user personas that resembles the needs and wants of the interviewees mentioned.
With the data we gathered from all the extensive interviews, we created user personas that resembles the needs and wants of the interviewees mentioned.
The Fashion Enthusiast
The Fashion Enthusiast
Emily Carter
Emily Carter
Age: 26
Occupation: Social Media Influencer
Tech Savviness: High
Age: 26
Occupation: Social Media Influencer
Tech Savviness: High
Shopping Habits
Emily shops online frequently, especially for clothing and accessories and heavily relies on reviews, videos, and influencer recommendations.
Pain Points
She returns a lot of items due to unexpected fabric feel or poor fit and wishes online shopping could better replicate the in-store experience.
How VRTouch Helps
VRtouch will allow Emily to "feel" materials before purchasing, reducing returns and may add an interactive layer to online fashion shopping.
Shopping Habits
Emily shops online frequently, especially for clothing and accessories and heavily relies on reviews, videos, and influencer recommendations.
Pain Points
She returns a lot of items due to unexpected fabric feel or poor fit and wishes online shopping could better replicate the in-store experience.
How VRTouch Helps
VRtouch will allow Emily to "feel" materials before purchasing, reducing returns and may add an interactive layer to online fashion shopping.
Shopping Habits
Emily shops online frequently, especially for clothing and accessories and heavily relies on reviews, videos, and influencer recommendations.
Pain Points
She returns a lot of items due to unexpected fabric feel or poor fit and wishes online shopping could better replicate the in-store experience.
How VRTouch Helps
VRtouch will allow Emily to "feel" materials before purchasing, reducing returns and may add an interactive layer to online fashion shopping.
The Practical Shopper
The Practical Shopper
Sophie Smith
Sophie Smith
Age: 28
Occupation: Interior Designer
Tech Savviness: Medium
Age: 28
Occupation: Interior Designer
Tech Savviness: Medium
Shopping Habits
Sophie buys home decor, furniture, and fabrics both online and in-store. She needs to physically feel textures before making design decisions.
Pain Points
She finds online product descriptions don’t always match the real product and its hard to judge quality and texture without seeing products in person.
How VRTouch Helps
It can help Sophie feel different fabric samples remotely before making bulk purchases and can help her clients visualize and "touch" design options virtually.
Shopping Habits
Sophie buys home decor, furniture, and fabrics both online and in-store. She needs to physically feel textures before making design decisions.
Pain Points
She finds online product descriptions don’t always match the real product and its hard to judge quality and texture without seeing products in person.
How VRTouch Helps
It can help Sophie feel different fabric samples remotely before making bulk purchases and can help her clients visualize and "touch" design options virtually.
Shopping Habits
Sophie buys home decor, furniture, and fabrics both online and in-store. She needs to physically feel textures before making design decisions.
Pain Points
She finds online product descriptions don’t always match the real product and its hard to judge quality and texture without seeing products in person.
How VRTouch Helps
It can help Sophie feel different fabric samples remotely before making bulk purchases and can help her clients visualize and "touch" design options virtually.
Before settling on the final prototype, our initial concept was a haptic feedback glove that would allow users to feel the texture, weight, and temperature of materials in a digital or virtual shopping environment. By connecting the glove with AR or VR systems, users could both see and touch products before purchasing them.
However, during our second round of interviews, we realized that users wanted to experience the product on other parts of the body as well, not just the hand.
As the product evolved toward the final solution, it became crucial for us to define its flow so that interviewees and users could clearly understand how this futuristic technology would work. We developed the following flow, which we used in our interviews to support both our low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes.
Before settling on the final prototype, our initial concept was a haptic feedback glove that would allow users to feel the texture, weight, and temperature of materials in a digital or virtual shopping environment. By connecting the glove with AR or VR systems, users could both see and touch products before purchasing them.
However, during our second round of interviews, we realized that users wanted to experience the product on other parts of the body as well, not just the hand.
As the product evolved toward the final solution, it became crucial for us to define its flow so that interviewees and users could clearly understand how this futuristic technology would work. We developed the following flow, which we used in our interviews to support both our low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes.
Before settling down on the final prototype, our initial idea was just a haptic feedback glove that would let users feel the texture, weight, and temperature of materials in a digital or virtual shopping environment. By connecting this glove with AR or VR systems, users would be able to see and touch products before buying them.
However, a second round of interviews with the same pool of participants led us to realize that the users wanted to feel the product on other parts of the body too, not just the hand.
As the product evolved toward the final solution, it became crucial for us to define its flow so that interviewees and users could clearly understand how this futuristic technology would work. We developed the following flow, which we used in our interviews to support both our low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes.
User selects a product on a website.
User selects a product on a website.
User selects a product on a website.
User pastes the link on the web application of VRTouch.
User pastes the link on the web application of VRTouch.
User pastes the link on the web application of VRTouch.
Link is sent to the VR headset and images of the product are sent to GAN Model (Cloud).
Link is sent to the VR headset and images of the product are sent to GAN Model (Cloud).
Link is sent to the VR headset and images of the product are sent to GAN Model (Cloud).
Haptic signals from GAN Model are sent to bodysuit’s microcontrollers.
Haptic signals from GAN Model are sent to bodysuit’s microcontrollers.
Haptic signals from GAN Model are sent to bodysuit’s microcontrollers.
Bodysuit’s microcontroller signals the actuators, pads and modules to generate touch-like feeling.
Bodysuit’s microcontroller signals the actuators, pads and modules to generate touch-like feeling.
Bodysuit’s microcontroller signals the actuators, pads and modules to generate touch-like feeling.
User touches a fabric/material virtually.
User touches a fabric/material virtually.
User touches a fabric/material virtually.
VR detects the movement.
VR detects the movement.
VR detects the movement.
Texture data is retrieved from the GAN Model.
Texture data is retrieved from the GAN Model.
Texture data is retrieved from the GAN Model.
Microcontroller adjusts stimulator and vibrations.
Microcontroller adjusts stimulator and vibrations.
Microcontroller adjusts stimulator and vibrations.
User selects a product on a website.
User pastes the link on the web application of VRTouch.
Haptic signals from GAN Model are sent to bodysuit’s microcontrollers.
Link is sent to the VR headset and images of the product are sent to GAN Model (Cloud).
Microcontroller adjusts stimulator and vibrations.
VR detects the movement.
Texture data is retrieved from the GAN Model.
Bodysuit’s microcontroller signals the actuators, pads and modules to generate touch-like feeling.
User touches a fabric/material virtually.
Along with this flowchart, for our next scheduled interview, we prepared low fidelity mockups to understand the needs and wants of a user to make our product adaptable, comfortable and accessible.
Along with this flowchart, for our next scheduled interview, we prepared low fidelity mockups to understand the needs and wants of a user to make our product adaptable, comfortable and accessible.
Along with this flow, for our next scheduled interview, we prepared low fidelity mockups to understand the needs and wants of a user to make our product adaptable, comfortable and accessible.
Lo-fi User Testing & Feedback
Lo-fi User Testing & Feedback
we conducted "think aloud" interviews to get feedback on our lo-fi mockups.
we conducted "think aloud" interviews to get feedback on our lo-fi mockups.
we conducted "think aloud" interviews to get feedback on our lo-fi mockups and user flow.
Users were concerned about the weight of the VR headsets.
Users were concerned about the weight of the VR headsets.
Users were concerned about the weight of the VR headsets.
Users reported that changing of temperature added a noticeable sense of realism and made it easier to imagine what the product would feel like in real life.
Users reported that changing of temperature added a noticeable sense of realism and made it easier to imagine what the product would feel like in real life.
Users reported that changing of temperature added a noticeable sense of realism and made it easier to imagine what the product would feel like in real life.
There were mixed opinions about using a full-body suit. Some users found it too bulky and preferred a more modular design that could be worn in parts.
There were mixed opinions about using a full-body suit. Some users found it too bulky and preferred a more modular design that could be worn in parts.
There were mixed opinions about using a full-body suit. Some users found it too bulky and preferred a more modular design that could be worn in parts.
Users responded positively to the idea of personalization, particularly the option to adjust feedback strength based on personal comfort or sensitivity.
Users responded positively to the idea of personalization, particularly the option to adjust feedback strength based on personal comfort or sensitivity.
Users responded positively to the idea of personalization, particularly the option to adjust feedback strength based on personal comfort or sensitivity.
Our Solution
Our Solution
Reflecting on the feedback gathered, we settled for a modular haptic suit integrated with a VR shopping system. It allows users to:
Reflecting on the feedback gathered, we settled for a modular haptic suit integrated with a VR shopping system. It allows users to:
Reflecting on the feedback gathered, we settled for a modular haptic suit integrated with a VR shopping system. It allows users to:
Feel the texture, weight, & temperature of products.
Wear the system modularly; gloves only, partial suit, or full suit.
Customize the intensity of feedback to match comfort levels.
Generate real-time haptic simulations via a GAN model that transforms product images into tactile data.
Share avatars with others to recreate the social validation of in-store shopping.
Feel the texture, weight, & temperature of products.
Feel the texture, weight, & temperature of products.
Feel the texture, weight, & temperature of products.
Wear the system modularly; gloves only, partial suit, or full suit.
Wear the system modularly; gloves only, partial suit, or full suit.
Wear the system modularly; gloves only, partial suit, or full suit.
Generate real-time haptic simulations via a GAN model that transforms product images into tactile data.
Generate real-time haptic simulations via a GAN model that transforms product images into tactile data.
Generate real-time haptic simulations via a GAN model that transforms product images into tactile data.
Customize the intensity of feedback to match comfort levels.
Customize the intensity of feedback to match comfort levels.
Customize the intensity of feedback to match comfort levels.
Share avatars with others to recreate the social validation of in-store shopping.
Share avatars with others to recreate the social validation of in-store shopping.
Share avatars with others to recreate the social validation of in-store shopping.
The suit is designed using breathable, lightweight lycra with embedded actuators and sensors. The VR headset includes gesture navigation, voice commands, and built-in accessibility features for people wearing glasses.
The suit is designed using breathable, lightweight lycra with embedded actuators and sensors. The VR headset includes gesture navigation, voice commands, and built-in accessibility features for people wearing glasses.
The suit is designed using breathable, lightweight lycra with embedded actuators and sensors. The VR headset includes gesture navigation, voice commands, and built-in accessibility features for people wearing glasses.
For our final round of interviews, we created a high-fidelity prototype and produced a demonstration video to showcase how our solution works in practice. This allowed interviewees to better visualize the functionality, interact with the concept indirectly, and provide more informed feedback on its usability and effectiveness.
For our final round of interviews, we created a high-fidelity prototype and produced a demonstration video to showcase how our solution works in practice. This allowed interviewees to better visualize the functionality, interact with the concept indirectly, and provide more informed feedback on its usability and effectiveness.
For our final round of interviews, we created a high-fidelity prototype and produced a demonstration video to showcase how our solution works in practice. This allowed interviewees to better visualize the functionality, interact with the concept indirectly, and provide more informed feedback on its usability and effectiveness.
Hi-fi User Testing & Feedback
Hi-fi User Testing & Feedback
we conducted "think aloud" interviews to get feedback on our hi-fi mockups.
we conducted "think aloud" interviews to get feedback on our hi-fi mockups.
we conducted "think aloud" interviews to get feedback on our hi-fi mockups.
Users appreciated the ability to adjust feedback intensity in real time, which allowed them to tailor the experience to their comfort level.
Users appreciated the ability to adjust feedback intensity in real time, which allowed them to tailor the experience to their comfort level.
Users appreciated the ability to adjust feedback intensity in real time, which allowed them to tailor the experience to their comfort level.
The comfort and lightweight design of the VR headset was a key talking point.
The comfort and lightweight design of the VR headset was a key talking point.
The comfort and lightweight design of the VR headset was a key talking point.
The modularity of the suit, with its easy zip enclosure that makes it quicker and more convenient to put on, was appreciated.
The modularity of the suit, with its easy zip enclosure that makes it quicker and more convenient to put on, was appreciated.
The modularity of the suit, with its easy zip enclosure that makes it quicker and more convenient to put on, was appreciated.
Users valued the availability of different input types, such as gesture control, voice commands, and traditional VR controllers which gave them greater flexibility.
Users valued the availability of different input types, such as gesture control, voice commands, and traditional VR controllers which gave them greater flexibility.
Users valued the availability of different input types, such as gesture control, voice commands, and traditional VR controllers which gave them greater flexibility.
Reflection
Reflection
VRTouch demonstrated that haptic integration can increase trust in online shopping, reduce hesitation, and help users make more confident purchase decisions. For me, the biggest learning was the importance of translating abstract user needs into tangible design features. The project showed how crucial iteration and user testing are in shaping solutions, and that modularity, comfort, and adaptability are key when designing for emerging technologies.
VRTouch demonstrated that haptic integration can increase trust in online shopping, reduce hesitation, and help users make more confident purchase decisions. For me, the biggest learning was the importance of translating abstract user needs into tangible design features. The project showed how crucial iteration and user testing are in shaping solutions, and that modularity, comfort, and adaptability are key when designing for emerging technologies.
VRTouch demonstrated that haptic integration can increase trust in online shopping, reduce hesitation, and help users make more confident purchase decisions. For me, the biggest learning was the importance of translating abstract user needs into tangible design features. The project showed how crucial iteration and user testing are in shaping solutions, and that modularity, comfort, and adaptability are key when designing for emerging technologies.
