Comparison of Surface Gestures and Air Gestures for In-Vehicle Menu Navigation

Abstract

Background Traditionally, in-vehicle systems have been operated using physical controls such as buttons and knobs. The array of tasks that these controls can efficiently accomplish in modern invehicle systems has outpaced their capabilities. The use of gestures for navigating interfaces has become increasingly prevalent solution to these shortcomings. However, best practices for the use of gestures have not been developed. leaving designers at risk of implementing systems that can increase a driver’s workload and raise the risk of accidents. Methods The current paper examines four gesture interaction techniques for completing a menu navigation task in terms of their effects on drivers’ primary driving and secondary menu navigation performance, as well as self-reported workload and preferences. Participants used either a tap (point) gesture or a swipe gesture either in the air or on a gesture surface. Results It was found that air gestures were slower than surface gestures and led to higher workload. Swipe gestures were lower workload than tap gestures, and the surface swipe gesture led to the lowest workload overall. Conclusions These results indicate that, at present, surface gestures are a lower workload alternative to air gestures that retain some of their flexibility and naturalistic potential.