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About

Kristian Gohlke is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), soft robotics, and actuated materials. His work redefines tangible user interfaces by introducing pneumatically driven, pliable systems that blur the line between digital interaction and physical sensation. Gohlke’s major contributions include the development of *Pneumatibles* (24 citations), a foundational concept for interactive, soft-robotic actuator/sensor elements that provide integrated pneumotactile feedback, and *InflatiBits* (19 citations), a modular construction kit enabling playful exploration of inflatable kinematic systems. His doctoral research, detailed in a 2017 paper (12 citations), systematically explores bio-inspired, shape-changing interfaces using soft fluidic actuators and sensors. More recently, Gohlke has advanced rapid prototyping with *WireShape* (2023), a CNC-supported process for manufacturing robust inflatable interface props. His 2022 survey (15 citations) synthesizes strategies from actuated materials and soft robotics for HCI design, cementing his role as a bridge between engineering and interaction design. With a cumulative impact of over 70 citations, Gohlke’s work is foundational for researchers and students interested in soft, shape-changing, and emotionally resonant interfaces.