Intimate Interfaces are discreet interfaces that allow interaction with mobile devices through subtle gestures and subtle peripheral cues in order to minimize disruption and let technology gain social acceptance.

Mobile devices are generally used in public, where the user is surrounded by others not involved in the interaction. These devices are often a cause of unnecessary disruption and distraction both for co-located people and even for the users themselves. Nevertheless, mobile devices do fulfil an important function informing of important events and urgent communications, so they cannot just be turned off in social settings. The solution is to make interaction with mobile and wearable devices needs to be subtle, discreet and unobtrusive through intimate interfaces.

In a mobile context users are often engaged in a main task, such as walking or conversation when they are interrupted by a notification from an electronic device. Intimate interfaces enable a minimal amount of interaction: just enough to let users decide whether or not to suspend their main task and fully attend to the mobile device.

This research involves the development of novel hardware and processing techniques to enable intimate interfaces as well as usability studies to assess how people react to the new technology.

The first two examples of intimate interfaces are the Intimate Communication Armband and the Notifying Glasses. More information about the project can be found my Master thesis at MIT and in some recent publications.