Hybrid Haptic Device for Car Door Interactions: User Perception of Torque Profiles

Car doors are the first and last points of physical interaction between users and vehicles, and their kinesthetic haptic feedback plays a key role in shaping user perception of vehicle quality. Therefore, optimizing the haptic feedback of car doors is essential for improving the overall user experience. This study investigates how car door torque profiles, determined by the mechanical components of the car door, influence user perception. A hybrid haptic device was developed to replicate various car door torque profiles and simulate realistic opening and closing experiences. Using this device, participants evaluated different virtual car doors with modified torque profiles and identified the profile that most closely resembled the sensation of a real car door. The base condition, which matched the torque profile of the reference car door, was rated as providing the most realistic and familiar experience. The results demonstrated that users are highly sensitive to changes in torque intensity and shape. These findings suggest that car door haptics significantly impact user experience, and strategic optimization of kinesthetic feedback can create a lasting impression on human-vehicle interactions.