Perceptual and social challenges in body proximate display ecosystems

Abstract

Coordinated multi-display environments from the desktop, second-screen to gigapixel display walls are increasingly common. Personal and intimate display devices such as head-mounted displays, smartwatches, smartphones and tablets are rarely part of such a multi-display ecosystem. This presents an opportunity to realise “body proximate” display environments, employing on and around the body displays. These can be formed by combining multiple handheld, head-mounted, wrist-worn or other personal or appropriated displays. However, such an ecosystem encapsulating evermore interaction points, is not yet well understood. For example, does this trap the user in an “interaction bubble” even more than interaction with individual displays such as smartphones? Within this paper, we investigate the perceptual and social challenges that could inhibit the adoption and acceptance of interactive proximate display ecosystems. We conclude with a series of research questions raised in the consideration of such environments.