"can You Feel the Tide Tonight?" - A Multisensory Interactive System to Foster Sustainability Awareness

We present a novel multisensory interactive system that integrates mid-air haptic feedback with ocean-themed visual media to foster sustainability awareness. Using focused ultrasound, the system allows users to "feel"environmental phenomena such as waves, coral reefs, and pollution without wearing devices or touching surfaces. Designed for deployment in public and mobile contexts such as exhibitions, science centers, and mixed-reality installations, the system demonstrates how contactless haptics can extend emotional engagement with environmental issues beyond traditional media. A preliminary study with ten participants showed that mid-air haptics amplified emotional responses and strengthened intentions toward pro-environmental action. This work contributes to mobile and ubiquitous interaction research by exploring how multisensory feedback can make abstract sustainability challenges more tangible and engaging in everyday contexts.