No. 07
Interaction Design
Dansense
Being visually impaired (VI) doesn’t stop anyone from dancing. Dansense is a haptic wearable insole that translates dance cues into physical sensation, empowering visually impaired dancers to move independently and with confidence.
Role
Interaction Designer
Timeline
6 weeks
Team
Mahsa Aghaiypour, Abhimanyu Gurung, Priyanka Nagar
Year
2024
The problem & the user
The Challenge
Traditional dance instruction relies heavily on mirroring — students watching and mimicking a teacher. For visually impaired individuals, this creates an immediate barrier to adoption, requiring constant physical touch or verbal cues that can feel stigmatising.
The User
Visually impaired individuals who want to dance for physical activity, social enrichment or self-expression. Their primary motivation is the joy of movement, but they are often frustrated by the lack of assistive tools that feel natural and “invisible.”
In numbers
1/2
of VI individuals avoid physical activity due to inaccessible environments.
80%
of dance lessons rely almost entirely on visual mimicry.
30%
of individuals find verbal cues disrupt the music and increase cognitive load.
The approach & process
01
Research & Discovery
Our research began with empathy-building activities, including a visit to Muzieum in Nijmegen and attending dance classes blindfolded. We also interviewed our primary stakeholder, Blinde Liefde voor Salsa, to understand the specific nuances of salsa footwork and the limitations of current assistive solutions.
02
Ideation & Prototyping
We explored several concepts, but the haptic sole emerged as the most viable solution, offering a balance of “invisibility” (not looking like a medical aid) and feasibility. We initially built a foot-shaped prototype to house the hardware, using Arduino to control vibration actuators designed to guide foot movements.
03
Iteration & Testing
User testing revealed significant challenges with vibration localisation and intensity. This led to an iterative redesign where we used 3D modelling to optimise the motor layout, aligning actuators with the natural contours of the human foot to maximise cue clarity.
The solution
A wearable haptic sole that fits inside standard footwear, translating dance cues into physical sensation without any visual dependency.
Contoured Haptic Feedback
Instead of generic vibrations, the sole uses a specialised layout of actuators that align with the foot’s pressure points. This allows the user to “feel” the direction of a step, addressing the challenge of communicating complex dance cues without visual aids.
Gamified Anticipation
We integrated gamification elements inspired by classic rhythm games. Localised & directional vibration patterns act as “pre-cues,” allowing the dancer to anticipate the next step and build bodily awareness and confidence over time.
Brand campaign
Dansense brand campaign — “Dance is felt. Not watched.”
Call for co-designers
Dansense brand campaign — co-design and testing call to action
Contoured Haptic Feedback
Instead of generic vibrations, the sole uses a specialised layout of actuators that align with the foot’s pressure points. This allows the user to “feel” the direction of a step, addressing the challenge of communicating complex dance cues without visual aids.
Gamified Anticipation
We integrated gamification elements inspired by classic rhythm games. Localised & directional vibration patterns act as “pre-cues,” allowing the dancer to anticipate the next step and build bodily awareness and confidence over time.
Brand campaign
Dansense brand campaign — “Dance is felt. Not watched.”
Call for co-designers
Dansense brand campaign — co-design and testing call to action
Results
The Outcome
The Dansense concept effectively translated digital signals into physical dance steps, earning strong validation from its primary stakeholder.
Impact
70%
of users identified the correct step direction on their first attempt.
100%
of stakeholders confirmed the design as a viable, “invisible” alternative.
1.5×
faster reaction speed than traditional verbal counts.
Reflection & learnings
What I learned
Designing for disability shouldn’t sacrifice form. Making the technology “invisible” was the key to its emotional success and user adoption. Through this project, I developed a deeper understanding of hardware by using Arduino to bridge the gap between digital cues and physical sensations.
Changes I’d make
I would prioritise hardware size from day one in our prototype. While the sole was sleek, shifting to custom PCB design and integrated batteries would eliminate external wiring and truly achieve that “invisible” feel.