arXiv AI

Affora: A Design System for Agent-Friendly Interfaces

Affora is a design system aimed at making software interfaces more readable by computer-use agents while still allowing designers visual freedom and maintaining familiar human workflows. The authors conducted three controlled studies on component implementations, visual variation, and interaction-design principles, using the results to create guidance from individual components to full sites, along with reusable implementations and executable checks. Evaluation on independently authored interfaces showed performance gains where Affora addressed existing deficits, with limited effects elsewhere, and a workflow case suggested reduced interaction cost.

arXiv Computation and Language
3d ago

Hybrid Computer Use: A Unified Programmatic, Semantic, and Visual Interface for General Agents

Hybrid Computer Use (HCU) is a unified interface that enables general agents to interact with computers through three complementary channels: programmatic code and command-line tools, semantic accessibility (AX) features, and visual graphical user interfaces (GUI). The design emphasizes efficient AX interaction, batch execution, and AX diffs to reduce round trips, while a supplementary skill guides agents in selecting and coordinating these channels. On the OSWorld 2.0 benchmark, HCU outperforms other systems in both efficiency and task success, demonstrating the benefits of flexible, multi‑channel computer‑use interfaces.

By Haoqing Wang, Xiaoyi Zhang, Sicheng Fan, Zhexin Zhang, Xinjie Zhang, Jiahao Li, Bin Li, Yan Lu
arXiv AI
Sep 2

Are We There Yet? Assessing Computer-Use Agents for Blind Users' Accessible Interaction with Desktop Applications

The study evaluates computer-use agents (CUAs) for blind users by conducting a three‑week diary study with eight participants using the OLLA prototype. Across 1,258 commands in 12 desktop applications, GPT‑5 achieved the highest success rate of 52.5%, while analysis uncovered failures in grounding, planning, constraint‑tracking, and termination. Interviews highlighted additional needs beyond automation for blind users.

By Satwik Ram Kodandaram, Monalika Padma Reddy, Xiaojun Bi, Jiawei Zhou, I. V. Ramakrishnan, Vikas Ashok
arXiv AI
Sep 10

AgentLens: Adaptive Visual Modalities for Human-Agent Interaction in Mobile GUI Agents

AgentLens is a mobile GUI agent that adapts its visual communication during task execution, offering Full UI, Partial UI, and GenUI modalities. It uses a Virtual Display to allow background operation while selectively overlaying visual information. In a study with 21 participants, 85.7% preferred AgentLens, which also scored highest on usability and adoption intent.

By Jeonghyeon Kim, Byeongjun Joung, Junwon Lee, Joohyung Lee, Taehoon Min, Sunjae Lee
arXiv AI
Oct 19

Adaptation of Computer Use Agents to New Software with User Manuals

The paper introduces MAGE, a framework that uses user manuals to enhance computer use agents (CUAs) for new software. MAGE retrieves relevant manual content during execution, generates procedural guidance, and adapts the agent policy through interaction. In training, it converts manuals into executable task-plan pairs to guide rollouts, reducing the need for human‑annotated demonstrations and improving task success rates across six applications.

By Chulhoon Yoon, Kyungri Park, Jinyeong Yun, Daeyun Jeong, Sukmin Yun, Woohwan Jung
arXiv AI
Oct 5

Automating the Application of HCI Principles: Skills for On-Demand UI Construction, the Human-AI Space to Think, and the Future of HCI

The article discusses how large language models can now generate user interfaces from natural‑language descriptions, and proposes a framework that turns HCI design knowledge into machine‑readable ‘skills’ that guide on‑demand UI construction. By treating the dialogue between user and AI as a shared cognitive workspace, these skills encode established HCI principles (e.g., Nielsen’s heuristics, WCAG criteria) as editable, version‑controlled artifacts. The authors outline a research agenda that envisions HCI moving from heuristic checklists to a machine‑executable, open‑source craft.

By Nathan Conklin, Miranda Capra, Chris North