Appropriateness of foot interaction for non-accurate spatial tasks

Abstract

This paper describes alternative methods for manipulating graphical user interfaces with a foot. Feet are used in many real world tasks together with the rest of the body, but in computer environments they are almost completely put aside as an interaction possibility. One of the major problems in choosing input methods for different tasks in user interfaces is determining what kind of method is appropriate for a certain task. Feet could easily be used as a supportive input method in interaction with computers together with the traditional mouse. In this paper, we discuss the possibility of using foot input in different nonaccurate spatial tasks, and the efficiency and usability experience the users have of foot interaction compared with a traditional hand-based interface with the same input device. The aim is to find out how well foot interaction suits for non-accurate spatial tasks.

Interactions Under the Desk: A Characterisation of Foot Movements for Input in a Seated Position

“…Resolution: Our findings confirm the observations of Raisamo and Pakkanen that pointing with the feet should be limited to low fidelity tasks, in which accuracy is not crucial [5]. For example, when compared to using only the hands in experiment 3, the feet were significantly less accurate.…”

“…Springer and Siebes compared a custom-built foot joystick to a hand-operated mouse in an abstract target selection task [21]. Pakkanen et al investigated the performance of trackballs operated by the feet and by the hand in common graphical user interface tasks [5]. Dearman et al compared foot switches on a pedal to screen touch, device tilt, and voice recognition in text editing tasks [6].…”

“…In particular, unlike previous work that used trackballs [5], pedals [6], and foot mice [7], we wished to explore unconstrained feet movements. This removes the need for a physical device (as well as the related foot-to-device acquisition time) and provides a wide range of interaction possibilities (analogous to the ones available from a touchscreen over a mouse).…”

Sensing foot gestures from the pocket

“…Building on this premise, we envision that a mobile device placed in a pocket of the user's pants can recognize simple foot gestures using a built-in accelerometer. Although the foot does not offer the same precision and dexterity for selection as the wrist and hand, the foot is appropriate when used to perform simple coarse gestures [24,28]. For example, the foot is a robust input method in a variety of applications (e.g., driving, musical instruments, and audio transcription).…”

Gesture tank: a gesture detection water vessel for foot movements

“…interaction in non-accurate spatial tasks [6]. Furthermore, since human locomotion is essentially bipedal, investigating foot-based interaction is beneficial.…”