Explore Design and Performance of Microgestures as Input Metaphor for Cycling
Abstract
Recent bikes provide advanced functions with electro-mechanical components and peripheral devices. However, the input metaphor still relies on mechanical switches or levers. In this thesis, we explore multiple input metaphors like pedaling, hand poses, hand and arm gestures for biking. We focus our study on investigating the acceptance and performance of using micro gestures as input during cycling. Through an exploratory study with 16 users, we discover that users prefer micro gestures to ensure safe cycling while maintaining controllability. We implement a wearable prototype that recognizes these gestures. In our evaluation, the prototype shows an average of 91 percent accuracy (88 percent with unintentional triggers) for detecting microgestures. The comparison study indicates that using micro gestures required 0.03s (1.3 percent) more reaction time than mechanical inputs. In order to further evaluate its usability, we created a system includes a sensor-embedded glove, bike control hub and mobile phone application. The system allows cyclists to interact with up to seven bicycle electro-mechanical components at the same time. The overall system performance testing shows that the system has 0.45s latency. The subjective user evaluation shows that the system is safer and more attentive to the route. The results from this thesis can be used as a guideline for the design of hand gestures as input during cycling.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Ramani, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Design|Engineering|Mechanical engineering
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