Reading #11: Multitoe

References: Multitoe: High-Precision Interaction with Back-Projected Floors Based on High-Resolution Multi-Touch Input by Thomas Augsten, Konstantin Kaefer, Rene Meusel, Caroline Fetzer, Dorian Kanitz, Thomas Stoff, Torsten Becker, Christian Holz, and Patrick Baudisch.  


Published in UIST '10 Proceedings of the 23nd annual ACM symposium on User interface software and technology.  


Author Bio:
Thomas Augsten is currently working on a masters degree at the University of Potsdam.
Konstantin Kaefer is also working on a masters from the University of Potsdam.
Christian Holz is working ot recieve his PhD from the University of Potsdam.
Patrick Baudisch is a professor in Computer Science at the Hasso Plattner Institute.

Rene Meusel, Caroline Fetzer, Dorian Kanitz, Thomas Stoff, and Torsten Becker are all students at the Hasso Plattner Institute.

Summary:

Hypothesis:

Can use a larger surface and incorporate feet as a way to interact we can overcome size limitations on touch screens.

Methods:

Firstly data was collected on how users use their feet. Buttons were pressed with the feet and various actions were performed as a result. Next we see that the users were asked to choose from a grid of buttons which one should be pressed based on the current position of the foot. Response to the location of the hotspot was varied and the location caused some issues. Finally users typed words with their feet on various keyboards.

Results:

Ultimately four different techniques stood out as the best ways of activating a button. Tapping, stomping, jumping and double tapping with jumping being the most successful. Next we found that most users, 18 of 20, felt that the arch of the foot should be included in selecting. Users disagreed about the position of the hotspot. And finally we saw a decrese in typing accuracy as the size of the buttons on the keyboard decreased.

Contents:

This paper attempts to solve some problems that exist with touch screen surfaces, such as restricted size. By encorportating a larger surface area as well as using feet as a basis for gestures we see some possible ways to solve this problem. We also see that different users use their feet different ways, which leads to additional problems.

Discussion:

Ultimately this paper was uninteresting to me. I don't think it really explored anything that ground breaking, especially considering that we just read a paper about foot gestures and touch surfaces. This doesnt really, to me, have any particularly interestings applications. Because much of the touch screen and computing in general seems to be moving to an 'on-the-go' type paradigm, the useage of a foot gesture system just doesnt seem as practical.