IMU-based joystick: Usage and interaction schemes in simulation game

The existence of a game controller is undeniably crucial in the human-computer interaction of video games. Game controllers enhance the video game experience, where players interact, make decisions, and control the object within the game. A joystick is one of many video game controllers. It is characterized by a stick-like shape with buttons attached to it. The traditional joystick uses a potentiometer as its electrical input measurement unit, most of which are designed to be used above the pad. We propose an IMU-Based Joystick that improves the use of the traditional one. It uses an inertial measurement unit instead of a potentiometer to be used on-air without a pad. We also propose the interaction schemes (navigation, swipe, and action) that will unify its use in many video game applications. We tested the device in a car simulation game that implements the navigation, swipe, and action interaction scheme to control the car. According to the test scenario, our IMU-Based joystick better controlled the keyboard. The mean error percentages of all compared devices are 2.741% for the keyboard, 1.129% for the Xbox controller, and 1.290% for IMU-Based joystick.