HaptiColour: Haptic-assisted Digital Colouring Platform for Managing Anxiety and Increasing Mindfulness

Abstract

Research suggests that mindfulness-based activities such as structured colouring are effective in reducing anxiety. Digital colouring is convenient but lacks the tactile experience of traditional media. We introduce HaptiColour, a haptic-assisted colouring platform that aims to help people manage anxiety and increase mindfulness. The platform is based on Haply, a 2-DoF grounded force feedback device, integrated with a graphical environment. We explored and implemented haptic guidance strategies and tool-tip effects that aid digital colouring experiences. We foresee the use of this platform in structured colouring practices. Initial evaluation shows that people would be interested in using a haptic-assisted colouring platform.