Please note: This PhD seminar will take place online.
Shaikh Shawon Arefin Shimon, PhD candidate
David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science
Supervisor: Professor Jian Zhao
Despite increasing popularity, in-ear Earable / Hearable (i.e., ear-mounted wearable) devices face input space and form factor limitations. To enhance earable interaction, researchers are exploring off-device, hand-based midair and onskin input spaces above the neck and around the ear. While existing literature primarily examines axial swipes (horizontal and vertical), nonaxial (unidirectional with varied orientations) and angular swipes (shaped like “L,” “U,” or “V”) remain largely underexplored despite their potential advantages.
Our within-subject gesture motion analysis study with 24 participants analyzed 5,568 swipes of varying shape, orientation and complexity, revealing preferred starting and ending positions for different unidirectional and angular swipe types, and intuitive swipe shapes. Our study also assesses the earable swipe characteristics, viability of gesture recognition with current technology, and their potential application in various scenarios. This research broadens and complements the current understanding of off-device earable gestures and provides insights for integrating suitable nonaxial and angular swipes with traditional axial gestures for improved in-ear earable interactions.