Biomimicry: A Transdisciplinary Approach for Human Computer Interaction
摘要
Biomimicry, the method of emulating nature's functions, strategies, and systems, offers a transformative perspective for designing intuitive, sustainable, and regenerative Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) systems. The complexity of human-computer interactions, particularly within domains such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and wearable technology, demands interfaces and interactions that are not only intuitive but also transparently integrated into users’ environments. Beyond this, when HCI is situated within the context of global challenges, like climate change and biodiversity loss, design approaches need to engage understanding of nonhuman needs and perspectives to ensure that solutions are not only human-centered but also aligned with ecological sustainability. Biomimicry, as a transdisciplinary methodology, offers an approach for knowledge transfer by blending human and nonhuman perspectives. The mimicry of functions, strategies, and systems found in nature enables to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical, actionable applications for interaction design. Furthermore, by co-developing theoretical perspectives on design methodologies with industry partners, it becomes possible to align the biomimicry process with design strategies and company roadmaps, leading to the creation of responsible designs that mitigate unintended consequences on ecosystems. This paper synthesizes insights from two workshops held at Uppsala University in 2023 and 2024, which explored biomimicry's potential to address emerging challenges in HCI by examining the shift from screen-based to immersive scene-based interaction, integrating human and nonhuman perspectives to inspire new collaborative approaches and partnerships for more-than-human participatory design.