GestureGoggles: Exploring facial Gestures for Truly Mobile Interaction while Running

Abstract

Technology has become an integral aspect of the running experience. Common devices, such as smartphones, smartwatches, and fitness trackers are widely employed. While particularly designed to be portable, due their small interfaces and touch screens, the interactions often necessitate slowing down or forcing the user to "stop-to-interact" for effective use. We conducted a small-scale workshop to identify and understand the use of facial gestures while running. Additionally, participants mapped possible facial gestures to commonly used functionalities while running. Based on this workshop we developed GestureGoggles, a Meta Quest Pro-based concept, leveraging face gestures such as winking, eyebrow raising, mouth movement and tongue protrusion. For demonstration purposes, we mapped these gestures to a music player functionality. The utilization of facial gestures show a new direction in the design for truly mobile interactions, aimed to enhance flow and joy in running.