SIST EN ISO 9241-920:2025 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 9241-920:2024 - Ergonomics of human‑system interaction: Tactile and haptic interactions specifies requirements and recommendations for tactile and haptic hardware, software and combined interaction techniques. It provides guidance on the design and selection of tactile/haptic inputs and outputs, tactile/haptic encoding of information (text, graphics, controls), tactile object design, layout of tactile space and interaction techniques. The standard applies to a wide range of devices and stimulation types - from wearables, touchables and tangibles to exoskeletons and force‑feedback systems - and covers use in real, virtual and mixed reality environments. (It supersedes EN ISO 9241-920:2016 and is adopted by CEN as EN ISO 9241-920:2024.)

Key topics and technical requirements

• Tactile/haptic inputs and outputs: recommendations for optimizing performance, minimizing fatigue, providing accessible and contextual information, and maintaining coherence across modalities.
• Individualization and control: guidance on user-adjustable parameters, force‑feedback overrides and limiting potentially harmful outputs.
• Attributes of tactile/haptic encoding: high‑level guidance and attribute‑level advice (spatial addressability, resolution, apparent location, motion, temporal patterns, vibration, electrotactile parameters, temperature and conductivity).
• Content‑specific encoding: methods for presenting text, tactile graphics and complex data (layout, size, speed, contrast and shape considerations).
• Perceptual considerations: avoiding sensory adaptation, perceptual masking and unintended illusions; managing acoustic and thermal side effects.
• Conformance and application guidance: recommendations on applying the standard, conformance statements and implementation considerations for mixed‑reality scenarios. Note: the standard explicitly excludes guidance on the role of walking in VR/MR for tactile/haptic interaction.

Practical applications

EN ISO 9241-920:2024 is practical for designing and evaluating tactile and haptic interfaces in:

• Consumer electronics (smartphones, wearables, game controllers)
• Automotive and industrial controls with haptic feedback
• Virtual, augmented and mixed reality systems (simulation, training, rehabilitation)
• Medical devices, prosthetics and exoskeletons with force feedback
• Accessibility solutions (haptic displays and tactile graphics for people with visual impairments)
• Robotics and teleoperation systems where touch cues are critical

Who should use this standard

• UX/HCI designers and usability specialists
• Haptics engineers and hardware designers
• VR/AR developers and interaction designers
• Product managers and regulators evaluating safety and accessibility
• Accessibility professionals and tactile graphics authors

Related standards and next steps

• Part of the ISO 9241 family (ergonomics of human‑system interaction). For full normative text, purchase or consult EN ISO 9241-920:2024 through your national standards body (CEN members) or ISO.