Shooting simulator as tangible interaction

In this post I share the Summary of my new paper, "A Study on Tangible Interfaces: Usability Evaluation of a Simulator of Firearms".

In a nutshell: I researched the tangible interface present in a simulator in order to propose improvements.

SUMMARY: The tangible user interfaces, characterized by the capture of user's physicality, are becoming more accessible due to new technological features like augmented reality and motion sensors. One application is the simulators for training motor skills. However, due to the tangible interfaces are a recent phenomenon their design is still not systematized and documented, creating challenges for applications development. Such innovative paradigm of interaction represents a potential novel in terms of digital training, since it allows the teaching of motor skills in several areas such as driving, operating instruments and even weapons. In this context, the present study has the main objective to present an evaluation of this tangible interface in a simulator of firearms, the SimIF-FT, developed in Florianópolis, SC, the company Simulogica and used by a private security company, called PROSEGUR . It was conducted a survey that employed the usability evaluation protocol called System Usability Scale, and questionnaires and interviews, with a class of 14 students of vigilant Training Center PROSEGUR in Palhoça, SC. The results point to a correlation between satisfaction with the usability of SimIF-FT and tangible aspects of interaction such as the apprehension of physical objects, kinesthetic realism in correspondence between real and virtual shooting feedback, and to need immersion through user its incorporation in virtual reality. These results have allowed suggestions for changes in design of the simulator interface.

the SimIF-FT in use