GestureGlove: Exploring Fine and Gross Gestures for Truly Mobile Interaction while Running

Abstract

Running is the most practiced sport worldwide. Rhythmic breathing is a breathing technique claimed to enhance running economy and experience. Recent studies showed how sounds can guide runners in achieving and maintaining rhythmic breathing patterns. In this paper we explore how runners can interact with this sonic breath guidance while running, aiming to fit locomotion without forcing the runner to slow down or "stop-to-interact". Common devices, such as smartphones, smartwatches, and fitness trackers are widely employed, but their small interfaces and touch screens often necessitate slowing down for effective use. This demo paper introduces GestureGlove, a novel garment that captures fine and gross hand gestures to control rhythmic breathing guidance sounds. The concept combines gross arm gestures for sound selection by extending normal running motion, while fine in-hand gesturing enables fine-grained volume control of the selected sound independent of the running motion. These underlying principles of using gross and fine gesturing, and the embodied approach, show a new direction in the design for truly mobile interactions.