Fun and efficiency of the Wii balance interface

Abstract

Balance input in human-computer interfaces can be beneficial, enjoyable and entertaining. Users can navigate a virtual (game) world or an (empirical) dataset while having their hands free to issue other commands. A new low-cost balance interface, the Nintendo balance board, offers widespread use of this form of input. We performed two experiments that explore the fun and efficiency of this interface for navigating simple virtual worlds. Our first study showed that the users completed 2D navigation tasks slower with the balance input method. The second study showed that a standard self-centreing joystick outperforms balance-based interfaces. However, the users in both studies enjoyed the balance input methods despite it being less efficient. The board interfaces performed similarly for easier navigation tasks; leaving the hands free for manipulation tasks while coarse navigation can be performed by the shifting body mass. Copyright © 2010 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.