Same-side Hand Interactions with Arm-placed Devices Using EMG

We present a preliminary evaluation of an approach utilizing eyes-free, same-side hand interactions with arm-placed devices based on electromyography (EMG). We hypothesize that the approach is well-suited for situations that do not allow for opposite-side hand interactions, e.g. while carrying something. In contrast to other methods such as speech input, it does not depend on external factors such as surrounding noise. In our pilot study in a laboratory setting, we compared same-side hand interactions using EMG against traditional opposite-side hand touch interactions to control a music player on a smartwatch. The results indicate that the same-side hand interaction approach is in general feasible for the envisaged type of interactions.