Predictive Wand: a mathematical interface design for operations with delays

Abstract

Action-feedback delay during operation reduces both task performance and sense of agency (SoA). In this study, using information-theoretic free energy, we formalized a novel mathematical model for explaining the influence of delay on both task performance and SoA in continuous operations. Based on the mathematical model, we propose a novel interface design called Predictive Wand for predicting future outcomes to prevent task performance and SoA degradation resulting from response delays. Model-based simulations and operational experiments with participants confirmed that operational delay considerably reduces both task performance and SoA. Furthermore, the proposed Predictive Wand mitigates these problems. Our findings support the model-based interface design for continuous operations with delay to prevent task performance and SoA degradation.