UFO-Zoom: A new coupled map navigation technique using hand trajectories in the air

This study proposed a new map navigation technique ‘UFO-Zoom’ that uses trajectories of the finger in the air. UFO-Zoom was developed to provide users complete freedom for panning and zooming operations. Zooming is controlled by the vertical distance between the screen and the users' fingertip; panning is controlled by finger movements parallel to the screen. Because these operations are not totally coupled, the users are totally free to change modes among panning only, zooming only, and coupled panning and zooming. A usability test was performed to compare UFO-Zoom with a simple ‘Pan-and-zoom’ method and ‘Speed-Dependent Automatic Zooming’ in three different map sizes. UFO-Zoom showed shorter task completion time, higher subjective ratings and lower workload than the other methods. Participants reported that UFO-Zoom was interesting, fast, easy to use and intuitive. The results of this study can be used to enhance the usability of map navigation technique when users navigate a large information space. ► We proposed a simple but intuitive map navigation technique that uses the hand movement in the air. ► Zooming is controlled by the vertical distance between the screen and the users' fingertip. ► Panning is controlled by finger movements parallel to the screen. ► Participants reported that UFO-Zoom was interesting, fast, easy to use and intuitive.