Face-Centered Spatial User Interfaces on Smartwatches

Abstract

Many smartwatches are now equipped with front-facing cameras that can detect users' faces and track the devices' spatial location relative to the faces in mid-air space. This space can be used as virtual placeholders for user interfaces where users can access them by moving their watch. In this paper, we present a novel face-centered spatial user interface for smartwatches that leverages the mid-air space for augmenting virtual user interfaces. With a pilot study, we first examine the suitable mid-air space that users can access during active use while wearing smartwatches. Next we conduct an online survey investigating users' attitudes towards using the space to access mid-air user interfaces. More specifically, we focus on the social acceptance of face-centered spatial user interfaces in different locations and in front of different audiences. Results indicate that participants welcomed the idea of face-centered spatial user interfaces, however, the acceptance varied based on where and in front of whom they are using the space.