Tangible user interface vocabulary to physically enhance space systems engineering tools

Abstract

Tangible user interface brings back physical cognitive artifacts empowered with Internet of Things, and it will be a key instrument in Industry 4.0 to control software. Such artifacts are tangible mental representation of the context of a system being built with software tools. One of the challenges on applying tangible user interface to define an appropriated interaction is the lack of a vocabulary to prepare physical artifacts for being manipulated in digital representation. We present a tangible interaction vocabulary to physically enhance software tools, particularly used in space system concept studies. It is a practical application which indicates opportunities for research and challenges for the development of new products.