Design and Exploration of Mid-Air Authentication Gestures

Abstract

Authentication based on touchless mid-air gestures would benefit a multitude of ubiquitous computing applications, especially those that are used in clean environments (e.g., medical environments or clean rooms). In order to explore the potential of mid-air gestures for novel authentication approaches, we performed a series of studies and design experiments. First, we collected data from more then 200 users during a 3-day science event organized within a shopping mall. These data were used to investigate capabilities of the Leap Motion sensor, observe interaction in the wild, and to formulate an initial design problem. The design problem, as well as the design of mid-air gestures for authentication purposes, were iterated in subsequent design activities. In a final study with 13 participants, we evaluated two mid-air gestures for authentication purposes in different situations, including different body positions. Our results highlight a need for different mid-air gestures for differing situations and carefully chosen constraints for mid-air gestures. We conclude by proposing an exemplary system, which aims to provide tool-support for designers and engineers, allowing them to explore authentication gestures in the original context of use and thus support them with the design of contextual mid-air authentication gestures.