A leap for touch

Abstract

Combining touch screen technology with mid-air gestures into a unified input modality has potential to improve interaction with touch interfaces in cars. Moreover, target objects on a touch screen can be adapted to the proximity of a users' finger in mid-air. In this paper, we present an exploration of this design space based on two studies and various prototypical systems. First, results of a driving simulator study are reported, indicating that a driver's performance in acquiring a target object on a touch screen in a central console position increases with expanding targets, while altering the position of a target object on the screen leads to a decrease of performance. In a follow-up workshop with automotive experts, prototypes with multiple expanding targets were utilized to foster in-depth discussions on potential challenges and benefits with expanding targets in cars. Results of both studies indicate a high potential of expanding targets for in-car interaction scenarios.