Kinetic Interaction Lab
The Kinetic Interaction Lab is a research group directed by Maria F. Montoya. “Mafe“, as she likes to be called, is a Research Fellow at the Exertion Games Lab and recently completed her PhD at Monash University in Australia. Mafe’s research on Human-Computer interaction focuses on investigating the design of interactive experiences for wellbeing and physical activity, including physical rehabilitation, sports, water activities and nature interactions. She is a strong advocate for the emerging field of WaterHCI, articulating its grand challenges and proposing new research avenues.Mafe’s research has been featured at top-tier HCI conferences, including CHI, CHI PLAY, and DIS, and it was recently recognised with the “2025 Dean’s Award for Research Excellence by a Graduate Student” in the Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University.
Mafe completed an MSc in Electrical Engineering and a BSc in Physics Engineering at the Technological University of Pereira (Colombia), where she developed research in human-computer interaction and physiological computing. Mafe’s early projects have focused on researching virtual environment applications and biocybernetic adaptation for physical rehabilitation and education.
The Kinetic Interaction Lab was created based on Mafe’s research interests and experience, as explained next:
Inspiration
As a physics engineer, I understand that movement is natural, as the universe’s energy flows are stochastic, unpredictable, and chaotic. Just as the universe’s energy, we move to find a better state, and even when we seem to lie still, our eyes, heart, lungs, and cells are moving. As an HCI researcher, I translate the physics of movement into a powerful source that helps us understand the world. That is why movement-based design approaches have become relevant across many areas of interaction design. Hence, I believe that if we find joy in movement and reframe it as a playful mechanism to facilitate a better state of the self, we can move from connecting with ourselves and others to being meaningfully integrated in this world.
Vision
To investigate how designing for the joy of movement connects us with ourselves, others and the world. If we use interactive technology to move from kinetic connection to kinetic integration, we will design the physical activity of the future, shifting from merely healthy outcomes to a continuous, playful dialogue with ourselves and the world.
Mission
Create meaningful interactive experiences during physical activity, from physical rehabilitation to sports, that facilitate connection with ourselves, others and the natural world. In my vision, interactive technology acts as the catalyst that reduces the “friction” of starting movement and highlights its “pleasure.” Hence, my research explores how interactive technology can create movement to transition from “connection” (two separate things touching) to “integration” (becoming part of the same flow).
Methods
Soma design, Ethnography, Autoethnography and User-centred design.