Improving Input Accuracy on Smartphones for Persons who are Affected by Tremor using Motion Sensors

Abstract

Having a hand tremor often complicates interactions with touchscreens on mobile devices. Due to the uncontrollable oscillations of both hands, hitting targets can be hard, and interaction can be slow. Correcting input needs additional time and mental effort. We propose a method for automatically correcting such inputs based on motion data, gathered both with the devices' sensors and a small wearable sensor on the finger used for tapping. The development was informed by interviews with persons with tremor. Two empirical studies showed that our method, involving both smartphone and finger motion sensors without changing the user interface, allows users with tremor to select objects with up to 40 % fewer misses.