Tap sensor: evaluating a new physical user interface for connected lighting.

The commercial introduction of connected lighting that can be integrated with sensors and other devices is opening up new possibilities for creating responsive and intelligent environments. However, the current approach for controlling such systems is to simply replace the light switch with a somewhat more sophisticated smartphone-based remote control. In this position paper we present a study of a new connected lighting control interface -- tap sensors. The tap sensor is a wireless device equipped with an accelerometer sensor that can detect a tap interaction and send a signal to the connected lighting system, for controlling light or other outputs. The tap sensors are small enough to be discretely attached to objects, such as a table, a picture frame, or a door, and it will then turn that object into an interactive control device. Therefore, by tapping on the object, the tap sensor that is attached to it will detect the tap input and an output can subsequently be triggered. These sensors were given to participants who lived with them in their own homes for a few weeks. The results of the study showed a great appreciation for this type of interaction from both practical and hedonic perspectives. Participants informed us that the tap sensors were effective, helpful, fun and playful ways of controlling their light.