A taxonomy of microinteractions: Defining microgestures based on ergonomic and scenario-Dependent requirements

Abstract

This paper explores how microgestures can allow us to execute a secondary task, for example controlling mobile applications, without interrupting the manual primary task, for instance, driving a car. In order to design microgestures iteratively, we interviewed sports- and physiotherapists while asking them to use task related props, such as a steering wheel, a cash card , and a pen for simulating driving a car, an ATM scenario, and a drawing task. The primary objective here is to define microgestures that are easily performable without interrupting or interfering the primary task. Using expert interviews, we developed a taxonomy that classifies these gestures according to their task context. We also assessed the ergonomic and attentional attributes that influence the feasibility and task suitability of microinteractions, and evaluated their level of resources required. Accordingly, we defined 21 microgestures that allow performing microinteractions within a manual, dual task context. Our taxonomy poses a basis for designing microinteraction techniques. © 2011 IFIP International Federation for Information Processing.