Different strokes for different folks? Revealing the physical characteristics of smartphone users from their swipe gestures. Issue 88 (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bevan, Chris; Fraser, Danaë Stanton
• Is Part Of: International journal of human-computer studies. Issue 88(2016)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 61
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Touchscreen gestures -- Behavioural biometrics -- Physical biometrics; Human-machine systems -- Periodicals; Systems engineering -- Periodicals; Human engineering -- Periodicals; Human engineering; Human-machine systems; Systems engineering; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2016.01.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1071-5819

Abstract

Abstract: Anthropometrics show that the lengths of many human body segments follow a common proportional relationship. To know the length of one body segment – such as a thumb – potentially provides a predictive route to other physical characteristics, such as overall standing height. In this study, we examined whether it is feasible that the length of a person׳s thumb could be revealed from the way in which they complete swipe gestures on a touchscreen-based smartphone. From a corpus of approx. 19, 000 swipe gestures captured from 178 volunteers, we found that people with longer thumbs complete swipe gestures with shorter completion times, higher speeds and with higher accelerations than people with shorter thumbs. These differences were also observed to exist between our male and female volunteers, along with additional differences in the amount of touch pressure applied to the screen. Results are discussed in terms of linking behavioural and physical biometrics. Abstract : Highlights: We examine if the length of a person׳s thumb can be revealed from how they interact with a smartphone. From thumb length, we can infer other physical characteristics such as likely standing height. We examined 19, 000 swipe gestures captured from 178 volunteers. People with longer thumbs complete swipe gestures faster than those with shorter thumbs. Males and females differ in the amount of pressure applied to the screen.