Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 17.2
The ground FX video-based interactive floor display system offered by the company
Gesturetek can be used for purposes such as entertainment or product promotion
17.2.1 Input from the Foot in Human-Computer Interaction
Examples of the use of foot-controlled input in HCI, interactive arts and video
games date at least to the early 1980s, with Amiga's Joyboard (1982) being one
widely known early example [
33
]. The current Nintendo Wii balance board con-
troller has achieved international commercial success by building on the success of
such past video game control interfaces. Human-computer interaction researchers
have investigated related issues, arguably beginning in the mid 1980s, when Pearson
and Weiser studied foot input devices for desktop PCs, and invented a pedal-like
device called the Mole [
25
]. However, despite the high-level of ongoing interest in
touch screen-based interactions for the hands, less research and development has
targeted touch-sensitive interfaces for the feet.
