Quantifying the Effects of Situationally-Induced Impairments and Disabilities on Mobile Interaction

Abstract

© 2020 Zhanna SarsenbayevaSituationally-Induced Impairments and Disabilities (SIIDs), also known as situational impairments, have been shown to negatively affect mobile interaction. This is a consequence of the fact that smartphones have become an indispensable part of our everyday life, and are used under various situations, contexts, and environments. While some situational impairments have received more attention from the research community (e.g., walking-, encumbrance-based SIIDs), some remain underexplored. In addition, research conducted on SIIDs has typically followed an ad-hoc approach, with studies aimed at investigating the impact of a particular SIID on a particular task. Conversely, this thesis systematically quantifies the effects of a range of SIIDs: ambient noise, stress, and dim ambient light on mobile interaction. These findings then enable us to draw baseline comparisons between the effects of these SIIDs on mobile interaction. Furthermore, in a case study this thesis focuses on cold-induced SIIDs, and proposes a sensing mechanism to detect and respond to the onset of such effects. Our contribution to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and UbiComp research is to enhance our understanding of the impact of SIIDs on mobile interaction. This knowledge is crucial to enable the development of smarter ubiquitous technology that can detect SIIDs and adapt mobile device interfaces accordingly with the purpose of improving the user experience for people of all abilities