Interactive technology integrating with the physically active human body: learnings from rider and eBike integration

Supporting the exerting body through interactive technology has been the focus of human-computer integration research labelled as “integrated exertion”. Due to advances in technology where integration systems can sense and interpret data in real-time, systems can participate in the experience alongside the user. In this chapter, we discuss integrated exertion through the lens of an eBike rider, where movement data generated from the rider's leaning forward posture results in increased engine support to afford a “superpower”-like experience. We present our learnings from our case study from the perspective of how to practically assist designers and researchers in designing integrated exertion by offering five take-aways that aim to help users to: “self-attribute superpowers acquired from the machine's functionality”, “map movement to machine actuation to facilitate integration”, “move simultaneously with the machine as one continuous expression”, “exploit visceral qualities to ignite imaginaries of integration” and “amplify the sensation of being integrated with the system by engaging other senses that complement the experience”. Finally, we provide reflections on supporting the exerting body through a human-computer integration approach towards enabling engaging integrated exertion experiences.