Gestures Around the Ear

The next evolution of wearable technology may not require new screens or controllers, but new ways to interact with the devices we already wear. Shaikh Shawon explores how gesture-sensing earbuds could transform virtual reality and wearable computing through intuitive, user-centered interactions that make technology more accessible and adaptable.

Guest

Shaikh Shawon Arefin Shimon: Shimon (Shaikh Shawon Arefin Shimon) is a PhD candidate in Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, where he researches human-computer interaction (HCI), wearable computing, and extended reality (XR) under the supervision of Dr. Jian Zhao in the WVisdom Lab. His work focuses on body-centric interaction for head-worn technologies, including earbuds and virtual reality headsets, exploring how gesture recognition and wearable sensing can enable more natural, accessible, and seamless interactions beyond traditional screens and controllers. His research has been published at leading HCI venues, including CHI, MobileHCI, IMWUT/UbiComp, and Graphics Interface. Before beginning his doctoral studies, Shimon spent more than six years working in industry at Samsung R&D Institute Bangladesh and Keysight Technologies, developing mobile and engineering software systems. He has also taught undergraduate computer science courses and supervised student research projects as a faculty member at North South University. His research aims to advance the next generation of wearable and immersive computing by making technology more intuitive and seamlessly integrated into everyday life.