Peripheral Interaction with Light

In everyday life we perform several perceptions and physical actions without focused attention. For example, we are aware of what the weather is like and we can wash our hands without actively thinking about it. These perceptions and actions take place in the periphery of attention, while they may easily shift to the center of attention when relevant. Computing technology is becoming increasingly present in our everyday routines. Interactions with these technologies usually require focused attention, which makes it challenging to fluently embed them in everyday life. Addressing this challenge, various researchers studied displays (e.g. ambient displays, peripheral displays, calm technology, ambient information systems), which subtly present information for peripheral perception. Moreover, a few recent studies explored physical interaction with technology to take place in the periphery. As both actions and perceptions shift between the center and periphery in everyday life, both perceptions of and interactions with technology could potentially take place in the periphery of attention.

This book targets the upcoming field of peripheral interaction: interaction with computing technology which can take place in the periphery of attention and shift to the center of attention when relevant for or desired by the user. The goal of peripheral interaction is to fluently embed meaningful interactive systems into people's everyday routines. This book aims to lay out the challenges and opportunities in the field, and underpin these through research presented in various chapters. The goal is to help us contribute to a future where computing technology gracefully coexists with the physical world.