Innovative Designs in Human–Computer Interaction: Current Status and Future Prospects

Dear Colleagues,

Innovative designs in human–computer interaction (HCI) are rapidly evolving, driven by advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, neural interfaces, and user-centered design. Current research highlights a shift toward more intuitive, accessible, and ethically responsible systems, with a strong focus on collaboration between humans and intelligent machines. The future of HCI is expected to be shaped by both technological breakthroughs and the need for sustainable, inclusive, and human-centric approaches.

This Special Issue focuses on cutting-edge developments in human–computer interaction (HCI), with a particular emphasis on innovative designs that redefine how humans interact with technology. We invite submissions that explore novel methodologies, interdisciplinary frameworks, and real-world applications, with a focus on fostering symbiotic human–AI relationships, advancing hardware and software interfaces, and addressing ethical challenges in intelligent systems. It explores the following:

• Innovative Devices: Novel hardware interfaces, such as wearable devices, brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) such as neuroadaptive systems and haptic feedback technologies; immersive systems such as augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) systems, and mixed reality (MR) that enhance user engagement and interaction; and next-generation of input devices, such as gesture-based controllers, gaze-tracking systems, and bio-signal interfaces, which push the boundaries of HCI.
• Advances in HCI: Emerging methodologies, interaction paradigms (e.g., gesture-based, voice-driven, multimodal interfaces), non-invasive human–computer interaction methods, and user-centered design approaches, including affective computing, that enhance user empowerment, usability, and accessibility.
• Human–AI Symbiotic and Collaborative Interactions: Designs and methodologies that enable seamless collaboration between humans and AI systems, enabling bi-directional communication, fostering trust, mutual understanding, and shared decision-making through bi-directional interactions, including explainable AI (XAI), particularly in domains like autonomous vehicles, healthcare, creative industries, and education. Overall, these are methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of human–AI partnerships in real-world scenarios.
• AI and Ethical Issues in Interfaces: Ethical challenges in AI-driven HCI, including privacy, bias, transparency, and accountability, especially in interfaces that deeply integrate with human decision-making.
• Practical Electronics for HCI: The role of electronics in enabling innovative human–machine collaboration interfaces through sensor integration, low-power designs, and embedded systems for real-time interaction.
• Real-World Applications: Practical implementations of HCI innovations in domains like healthcare (e.g., assistive technologies, telemedicine interfaces, and rehabilitation systems), automation (e.g., autonomous vehicles, human–robot collaboration, and smart infrastructure), education (e.g., interactive learning systems, AI-driven tutoring systems, and accessibility tools), industry (e.g., smart manufacturing, industrial automation, and worker augmentation systems), and entertainment (e.g., immersive gaming, interactive storytelling, and virtual performance spaces). 

The scope of this Special Issue includes both methodological and applied research in HCI, with a focus on interdisciplinary contributions that bridge design, technology, and human behavior. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Design and evaluation of novel HCI devices (e.g., wearables, BCIs, haptics).
• Advances in interaction techniques (e.g., multimodal, adaptive, and context-aware interfaces).
• Human–AI collaboration frameworks, including symbiotic systems where humans and AI co-evolve in decision-making processes.
• Ethical implications of AI in HCI, such as ensuring fairness, mitigating bias, and protecting user autonomy in intelligent interfaces.
• Electronics and hardware innovations that support HCI, including sensor technologies, microcontrollers, and energy-efficient designs for portable devices.
• Case studies and real-world applications of HCI innovations across diverse sectors.
• User studies and empirical evaluations of HCI systems, focusing on usability, accessibility, and user experience (UX).

This Issue encourages submissions that combine technical innovation with practical impact, addressing both current challenges and future directions in HCI.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to achieve the following:

• Showcase state-of-the-art research in HCI that leverages innovative devices, AI, and electronics to create more intuitive, collaborative, and ethical human–technology interactions.
• Provide a platform for researchers and practitioners to explore the intersection of HCI, AI, and electronics, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue.
• Highlighting the ethical considerations of AI-driven interfaces, ensuring that innovation aligns with societal values such as fairness, privacy, and inclusiveness, identifying the gaps in current legislation when pursuing practical design approaches, and proposing new frameworks where real-world applications and ethical issues work together seamlessly.
• Bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and real-world applications, offering insights into how HCI innovations can solve practical problems in diverse domains.
• Inspire future research directions by identifying emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in HCI design, particularly in symbiotic human–AI systems and hardware-supported interactions. 

We encourage submissions that combine technical depth with practical relevance, offering insights into how HCI innovations can address pressing challenges while shaping the future of human–technology interaction. 

Prof. Dr. Jesús G. Boticario
Dr. David Martín Gómez
Dr. Jorge Carrillo-de-Albornoz
Guest Editors

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