Tactile interaction for novice user uncolocated gestures

Abstract

This paper introduces the concept of tactile interaction for novice elderly users. Cognitive difficulties, motor constraints, visual overloads and lacks of feedback lead to hardly usable tactile smartphone among elderly users. An optimized tactile interface was produced, offering continuous and secure gestures, and introducing “uncolocated gestures”. Comparative tests to a classic tactile interface show that those gestures solves interaction problems but generates other difficulties. Uncolocation is a solution of interest but has to be learned and has to be progressively acquired through activity. A final enhanced profile for Elderly users was set and solves this situation, enabling uncolocation manipulation for Back and Up-Down commands and preventing it for Validation command, until it is totally acquired by the user.