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The aim of this study is to explore the usability of multiple forms of television remote control interfaces for older adult users and users with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to clarify the operation performance requirements of these two user groups. The test interfaces were constructed through programming and were capable of recording participants' task completion time, operation errors, and the locations of their taps. The results show that users with MCI could not perform their initial action quickly and accurately; buttons with larger sizes provided greater operation performance for older adult users and users with MCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intuitive use is a notoriously vague concept. Several research groups have been developing a wealth of definitions and ways of measuring intuitive use that show only few commonalities. Here we review previous approaches combined with newer theoretical developments in psychology. From this review we propose that high effectiveness, low cognitive effort and a strong metacognitive feeling of fluency are the defining characteristics of intuitive use whereas many other measures are typical correlates of these defining characteristics. Distinguishing between defining characteristics and typical correlates allows researchers and practitioners to refer to a common measurement definition of intuitive use while maintaining their flexibility to adapt measures according to their needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a general framework for the use of low-impedance displacement sensors mounted on the links of a serial robot to provide an intuitive physical human–robot interaction. A general formulation is developed to handle the motion guidance problem, i.e., the mapping of the measured motion of the sensors into the required robot joint motions to provide intuitive responsiveness. The formulation is general and can be applied to any architecture of serial robot with any number of displacement sensors each having an arbitrary number of degrees of freedom. Then, the design of a novel three-degree-of-freedom low-impedance displacement sensor is presented as a particularly effective instantiation of the general concept. Partial force balancing is used to reduce the required elastic return action, thereby ensuring the low impedance of the interaction. A prototype of a three-degree-of-freedom displacement sensor is then introduced. Two such sensors are mounted on the links of a custom-built five-degree-of-freedom robot in order to demonstrate the proposed approach. Experimental results are provided and comparisons with other collaborative robots are given. It is shown that the proposed sensors and motion guidance approach yield very intuitive low-impedance interaction involving very low interaction forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this research is to design a tool to assess intuitiveness of products. Existing scales such as INTUI (Diefenbach and Ullrich 2015) show some limitations when used by children and/or for evaluating non-digital products. We aim to obtain a more universal questionnaire tool. INTUI questionnaire measures the components of an intuitive interaction (Effortlessness, Gut feeling, Magical experience, Verbalizability and Intuitiveness) through 17 items. After removing or rephrasing several items, we tested a revised version (8 items) with 68 participants (children and adults) who performed a task (a drawing for children and subtractions for adults) with a digital device (tactile tablet for children and smartphone for adults) and a non-digital device (paper and pencil). The results led us to remove the "Verbalizability" and "Gut feeling" dimensions which were difficult to understand and inconsistent with the conceptual model. The final version of the questionnaire (5 items) including three dimensions (Effortlessness, Magical Experience and Intuitiveness) was tested with 69 adults to evaluate a Coffee Dispenser Machine. Both "Effortlessness" and "Magical experience" dimensions seem to reliably predict intuitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an intuitive end-to-end interaction system between a human and a hexacopter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for field exploration in which the UAV can be commanded by natural human poses. Moreover, LEDs installed on the UAV are used to communicate the state and intents of the UAV to the human as feedback throughout the interaction. A real time multi-human pose estimation system is built that can perform with low latency while maintaining competitive performance. The UAV is equipped with a robotic arm, kinematic and dynamic attitude models for which are provided by introducing the center of gravity (COG) of the vehicle. In addition, a super-twisting extended state observer (STESO)-based back-stepping controller (BSC) is constructed to estimate and attenuate complex disturbances in the attitude control system of the UAV, such as wind gusts, model uncertainties, etc. A stability analysis for the entire control system is also presented based on the Lyapunov stability theory. The pose estimation system is integrated with the proposed intelligent control architecture to command the UAV to execute an exploration task stably. Additionally, all the components of this interaction system are described. Several simulations and experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the whole system and its individual components.

This paper presents an intuitive end-to-end interaction system between a human and a hexacopter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for field exploration in which the UAV can be commanded by natural human poses. Moreover, LEDs installed on the UAV are used to communicate the state and intents of the UAV to the human as feedback throughout the interaction. A real time multi-human pose estimation system is built that can perform with low latency while maintaining competitive performance. The UAV is equipped with a robotic arm, kinematic and dynamic attitude models for which are provided by introducing the center of gravity (COG) of the vehicle. In addition, a super-twisting extended state observer (STESO)-based back-stepping controller (BSC) is constructed to estimate and attenuate complex disturbances in the attitude control system of the UAV, such as wind gusts, model uncertainties, etc. A stability analysis for the entire control system is also presented based on the Lyapunov stability theory. The pose estimation system is integrated with the proposed intelligent control architecture to command the UAV to execute an exploration task stably. Additionally, all the components of this interaction system are described. Several simulations and experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the whole system and its individual components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown that older adults interact with products less intuitively than younger adults, and that familiarity is an essential element of intuitive interaction. This paper reports on the findings of two empirical studies that examined familiarity in younger and older adults. Each study comprised 32 participants over four age groups. The first study required participants to use their own contemporary products in their homes in order to investigate older adults' familiarity with them, and how this familiarity differed from that of younger adults. Older people were less familiar with their own contemporary products that younger people. The second study aimed to investigate differences in familiarity between younger and older adults while using products that they did not own and were likely to be less familiar with. When using products not already familiar to them, both middle aged and older adults showed significantly lower familiarity than younger people. The significance of this research is in its empirical findings about familiarity differences between age groups. It has been recognised that the identification and understanding of differences in familiarity will enable designers to design more intuitive interfaces and systems for both younger and older cohorts. The implications of the findings from the two studies reported here are discussed in light of this recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on research conducted as part of the Universal Cognitive User Interface (UCUI) project, which aims at developing a universal, autarkic module for intuitive interaction with technical devices. First, we present an empirical study of image schemas as basic building blocks of human knowledge. Image schemas have been studied extensively in cognitive linguistics, but insufficiently in the context of human-computer-interaction (HCI). Some image schemas are developed early at pre-verbal stages (e.g., up-down) and may, thus, exert greater influence on human knowledge than later developed image schemas (e.g., centre-periphery). To investigate this for HCI contexts, we applied a speech interaction task using a Wizard of Oz paradigm. Our results show that users apply early image schemas more frequently than late image schemas. They should, therefore, be given preference in interface designs. In the second part of this contribution we therefore focus on the appropriate representation and processing of semantics. We introduce novel theoretical work including feature-values-relations and Petri net transducers, and discuss their impact on behaviour control of cognitive systems. In addition, we illustrate some details of the implementation regarding learning strategies and the graphical user interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the personal characteristics and preferences of individuals that encourage interactions with smart media displays (media façades). Specifically, it aimed to determine which key aspects of a smart display “media façade” enhance intuitive interactions. A range of smart display technologies and their effects on interaction decisions were considered. Data were drawn from a survey of 200 randomly sampled residents and/or visitors to a smart building, One Central Park, in Sydney, Australia. A binomial logistic regression analysis was undertaken to establish links between a range of design, perceptions and socio-demographic variables and individuals’ decisions to interact with a smart media display. The results showed that the aesthetics of an installation, the quality of an installation’s content and the safety of the operation-friendly environment significantly affected respondents’ decisions to interact with the media display. Interestingly, respondents born overseas were more likely to interact with a smart display than those born in Australia. Respondents who expressed a preference for photograph-based interactions were also more likely to interact with the display. Somewhat surprisingly, age, residency and levels of familiarity with digital technology did not significantly affect respondents’ decisions to interact with the display.

This paper presents the findings of the first end-user research study with seniors who are not familiar with operating ICT devices, executed as part of the EU-Active and Assisted Living research project Kith & Kin. This project aims at developing an ICT device for these seniors by building on their needs and real capabilities, encouraging communication and fostering social inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elderly users with dementia often forget how to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) because of declined cognitive ability. Affordance emphasises intuitive relationships and interaction and has potentials for product design for elderly users or users with dementia. This study investigated the intuitive interaction and affordance relationship between elderly users with dementia and the user-interface characteristics of ADLs. We used the user interfaces of microwave ovens as a research tool for recording participants’ initial reaction time for a specific operating task and the time for task completion. In addition, we observed and recorded the problems experienced by the participants during the tasks for examining the user-interface characteristics that possess superior usability and can induce the intuitive interaction of elderly users with dementia. The research results indicated that interface designs with simple layouts were optimal for elderly users with dementia in intuitive operation and usability; thus, complex arrangements and information presentations that require imaginative association should be avoided when designing interfaces. The results provide references for designing intuitive and humanised user interfaces for elderly users with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-touch technology is a key part of computer interaction today, yet little is known about the distinction between direct and indirect input devices in terms of intuitive interaction. An experimental study aims to identify the difficulties of interaction with indirect multi-touch devices by applying the action regulation theory and the principle of movement transformation to common computer tasks involving gesture utilization. An analysis of the data acquired from 54 subjects working with an Apple Magic Trackpad implies that gestures on indirect multi-touch devices are not utilized intuitively without instructions that bypass conceptual difficulties of indirect gesture usage. It is shown that gesture use influences product assessment measured by User Experience questionnaires and that prior experience with direct multi-touch devices does not influence gesture usage or product assessment. We advise that product developers utilize video instructions to create a sense of intuitive interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designers of natural user interfaces are faced with several challenges when creating interaction models for controlling applications, including the wide range of possible input actions and the lack of affordances, which they can use to design controls. In order to contribute to the development of design guidelines in this design space, we conducted an exploratory, mixed methods study.We investigated three top-down approaches to designing intuitive interaction mappings for a whole body system implemented with camera vision. These were metaphoric, isomorphic and 'everyday' or conventional. In order to identify some of the benefits and limitations of each approach, we compared the designs based on measures of usability, intuitiveness and engagement with the material represented in the system. From our study, we found that while the metaphoric design enhanced users' performance at completing tasks, the lack of discoverability of the interaction model left them feeling incompetent and dissatisfied.We found that the isomorphic design enabled users to focus on tasks rather than learning howto use the system. Conversely, designs based on previous conventions had to be learned, had a time cost for the learning and negatively impacted users' engagement with content. For tasks and controls that can be designed based on an image schematic input action, users performed most accurately with the metaphoric design. There are benefits and limitations to each approach to designing to support intuitive interaction. We conclude with preliminary design considerations, suggest ways to balance performance with high user satisfaction depending on contextual design goals and question a single definition of intuitive intuition within whole body interface design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into intuitive interaction often builds on the development of a definition and clear-cut criteria. The present paper suggests an alternative, more phenomenological approach. In line with the User Experience perspective,we focus on the experiential phenomenon and subjective feelings related to intuitive interaction. Our analysis makes use of insights from psychological research on intuitive decision-making and user research in Human--Computer Interaction. As a result, we suggest four components of intuitive interaction (Gut Feeling,Verbalizability, Effortlessness, Magical Experience) and a research framework of relevant influencing factors. Given that intuitive interaction relies on the transfer of previously acquired knowledge, one suggested influencing factor is the domain transfer distance, i.e. the distance between the application domain and the source domain of transferred prior knowledge. Our theoretical model assumes a differential effect of the domain transfer distance on the four components of intuitive interaction. An empirical study (n = 152) substantiates the suggested components and theoretical considerations on the special effect of the domain transfer distance. As assumed, Gut Feeling, Verbalizability, Effortlessness and Magical Experience were all relevant for participants' subjective understanding of intuitive interaction. In line with our model of domain transfer distance, usage scenarios with higher transfer distance were perceived as better representatives of intuitive interaction and characterized by Gut Feeling/Magical Experience, whereas lower transfer distance scenarios were characterized by Verbalizability/Effortlessness. The present paper offers a number of contributions for research and design. Besides providing a better understanding of the phenomenon of intuitive interaction and underlying mechanisms, we discuss how design can profit from these insights (e.g. specification of the desired experience, design for innovation). Limitations of the present study and implications for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intuitive interaction is an important aspect of usability in interface design. This paper contributes to the research in this area by proposing a conceptual framework for evaluating intuitive interaction based on image schemas. The framework comprises four phases: goal identification, image schemas extraction, analysis and assessment. It quantifies intuitive interaction by comparing the image schemas envisaged by the designer of a product with those used by its users. The proposed framework is evaluated through a study involving 42 participants completing a set task with a product. The study identified the image schemas, which were correctly used in accordance with the designer's intent and those that were incorrectly used and contributed to the difficulties thatmanyparticipants experienced. The inter-rater reliability and empirical validity were examined. The proposed framework provides a structured approach to usability testing by enabling both quantitative and qualitative evaluation of intuitive interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elicitation and evaluation studies investigated intuitiveness of touchless gestures but did not operationalize intuitiveness. For example, studies found that users fail to make accurate 3D strokes as interaction commands. But this phenomenon remains unexplained. In this paper,we first explain how making accurate 3D strokes is generally unintuitive, because it exceeds our sensorimotor knowledge. We then introduce motor-intuitive, touchless interaction that uses sensorimotor knowledge by relying on image schemas. Specifically, we propose an interaction primitive--mid-air, directional strokes--based on space schemas up--down and left--right. In a controlled study with large displays, we found that biomechanical factors affected directional strokes. Strokes were efficient (0.2 s) and effective (12.5° angular error), but affected by directions and length. Our work operationalized intuitive touchless interaction using the continuum of knowledge in intuitive interaction, and demonstrated how user performance of a motor-intuitive, touchless primitive based on sensorimotor knowledge (image schemas) is affected by biomechanical factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Touch-based interactions, if intuitive and natural, should be highly learnable. However, the learnability of touch gestures as a computer interaction modality cannot be taken for granted and should be evaluated empirically. This is especially true when technology-naïve older adults are concerned, given the psychological and physical constraints associated with this age range. To investigate this issue, we conducted a study with 17 technology-naïve older adults, whose experience with technology was mostly limited to making calls with mobile phones. Specifically, the participants were presented with three simple digital games on an interactive tabletop surface and asked to play the games on their own with minimal instruction or help. The first two games required the use of a drag gesture whereas the third game required the use of a rotate gesture. The main research question was whether the older adults could learn the gestures effectively and efficiently. A set of variables such as task duration and gesture accuracy were measured. Results showed that the learnability of a drag gesture was relatively high and that the participants could transfer this skill across the games. In contrast, the learnability of a rotate gesture was low and most of the participants failed to demonstrate any improvement over the tasks of the game. These findings partially corroborate those of earlier work. Implications for future work are drawn, especially exploring the potential of social interactions between older adults for enhancing the learning effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]