Ill-Advised UI Design Research: Controlling Apps With Your Feet, as You Walk [Video]

Here’s an example of design research that does not (in my opinion) consider larger societal consequences. Researchers at Canada’s University of Waterloo are experimenting with the ability to control smartphone apps with your feet, as you walk.

You could argue that this isn’t “design” research at all, as the researchers are from the university’s School of Computer Science; but since it involves UI, I’ll put it under the design umbrella.

Here’s the impetus for the research: “Waterloo professor of computer science Daniel Vogel, frustrated by having to stop and use his phone with cold fingers while walking to get coffee, wondered if there could be a way to place orders without pausing.”

The researchers are thus using an AR headset to detect specific gait patterns. The idea is that you can navigate apps by altering your footfall, turning your foot one way or the other as you walk. Examples:

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I understand design research …