NotifEye

Abstract

In this paper we explore the use of interactive eyewear in public. We introduce NotifEye, an application that allows a person to receive social network notifications on interactive glasses while walking on a busy street. The prototype uses a minimalistic user interface (UI) for interactive glasses to help people focus their attention on their surroundings and supports discreet interaction by using a finger rub pad to take action on incoming notifications. We studied pragmatic and hedonic aspects of the prototype during a pedestrian navigation task in a city center. We found that, despite the potential risk of overwhelming people with information, participants were able to keep track of their surroundings as they dealt with incoming notifications. Participants also positively valued the use of a discreet device to provide input for interactive glasses. Finally, participants reflected on their (evolving) perception of interactive glasses, indicating that glasses should become smaller, more comfortable to wear, and somewhat of a fashion accessory.

Challenges in passenger use of mixed reality headsets in cars and other transportation

“…New possibilities for interaction (e.g. via gaze (Lucero and Vetek 2014) The VR Hyperspace EU project, which finished prior to the advent of new, cheap, consumer VR headsets such as the Oculus Rift, noted the benefits of VR usage in transit, with their stated aim being to "enhance the passenger comfort through...(the) adoption of virtual and mixed reality technologies in the future air cabin" (Cappitelli et al 2014). More recently, airlines have also tested VR headsets for use in-flight (Air France 2017; Qantas 2015), with benefits even being shown regarding safety knowledge transfer regarding how to wear an aircraft life preserver (Chittaro et al 2018).…”

Chameleon Devices

“…Costanza et al [8], for example, use LEDs embedded in eye glasses to provide discreet cues to users in their peripheral vision. Lucero and Vetek [37] also made use of eyewear to display notifications opting to display virtual butterflies and text-based notifications on the glass. Other wearable devices-such as the reminder bracelet [13]-use simple LED cues on a wristband to convey reminders from an accompanying device.…”

CountMarks: Multi-Finger Marking Menus for Mobile Interaction with Head-Mounted Displays

“…In-air gestures can be obtrusive, attention-grabbing and often unnatural or dissimilar to normal gestures which can make them potentially embarrassing to use in public settings [13,35,36]. Additionally, in-air gestures have the well-known problem of "gorilla arm syndrome" where gesture can yield excessive arm fatigue [4].…”

“…Due to public safety concerns, any method for interacting with mobile technology should consider how interactions may be performed during different levels of mobility. While some interaction techniques made for wearable technology fail to be tested in mobile conditions [63], others test a range of scenarios such as walking [35,60], running [56], simulated driving [62] and while grasping other objects [64]. Studies with NotifEye [35] and PocketMenu [60] both required participants walk down sidewalks to test their devices in the wild.…”

“…While some interaction techniques made for wearable technology fail to be tested in mobile conditions [63], others test a range of scenarios such as walking [35,60], running [56], simulated driving [62] and while grasping other objects [64]. Studies with NotifEye [35] and PocketMenu [60] both required participants walk down sidewalks to test their devices in the wild. NotifEye had participants view and dismiss floating semi-transparent notifications in an Epson Moverio BT-100 see-through interactive HMD.…”