GentlePoles: Designing Wooden Pole Actuators for Guiding People

GentlePoles are wooden pole-like actuators that gently rotate to guide people without relying on text signs or staff. By arranging poles with individually controllable rotation direction and speed, the system gently and subtly directs people. For example, changes in rotation can convey messages such as "go"or "stop". In environments like airports, these poles can serve as triggers for passengers to access the information they need, while providing visual reassurance to surrounding passengers. The goal is to gently present information in public spaces with low cognitive load, addressing challenges such as staff shortages and information overload.