Suitable interface evaluation for interaction with three-dimensional environments

As 3D tracking devices such as the Nintendo Wii gain prominence in the living room, the mouse still remains the king of the desktop computing interface world. This research evaluated multiple low cost devices which allow more degrees of control than a simple mouse in hopes of finding a device that could replace the mouse for 3D interaction at the desktop computer. Interface devices were tested in a virtual reality system using a three-dimensional picking application. Results were analyzed using Fitts' law to quantify the performance of each device. The study shows that although the mouse only offers two simultaneous axes of motion, it and the Wii remote are equally usable and comfortable for three-dimensional translational tasks in a desktop environment.