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Undeniably, the design and construction of tools to support task execution marked a turning point in our development as a species and society. Some even argue that this point defines our transition to intelligent beings. One of the most significant consequences is that we understand our ability to change and modify the environment for our benefit and comfort. However, it took several thousand years, with the advent of the information and computing era, for us to feel the need to reflect on how we interact with and relate to a particular tool, one that has enabled significant transformations in our environment. This need transformed the human-computer relationship into a subject of interest, study, and research [1], [2].
It is impossible not to wonder what makes the human-computer relationship so special. Looking retrospectively, we must remember that the computer was the first programmable tool at our disposal, endowing it capable of assisting us in any task. Thus, tasks performed with the aid of a computer became more complex from a cognitive perspective, necessitating the design of visual artifacts that abstracted processes, leading to the introduction of the graphical user interface [1], [2]. Achieving this required designing an entire flow of activities that a "user" needed to perform correctly. The terms "user" and "interface" began to be studied within the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), with the goal of seeking alternatives to improve, evaluate, and understand this symbiosis [1], [2]. Several decades have passed since the first studies in interface design and evaluation laid HCI's theoretical and conceptual foundations. Although these foundations remain relevant, technological advances have introduced changes substantially affecting the human-computer relationship.
The first thing we must consider is that today, any device around us can contain a computing element, meaning that any "object" is potentially a computer and, as such, requires an appropriate interface for its use [3], [4]. A very common example is smart televisions, which now have an operating system allowing us to install and uninstall applications according to our needs, with interaction occurring through a remote control, voice commands, or even manual gestures [5]. Another example is infotainment systems, increasingly common in cars, which allow us, through voice commands, a control embedded in the steering wheel, or a touchscreen, to choose...