Systematic literature review of hand gestures used in human computer interaction interfaces

•Article reports the results of a systematic review undertaken to identify characteristics of touchless/in-air hand gestures used in interaction interfaces.•Gestures are a humans’ natural mode of interaction, but the way they are used in interaction interfaces is not intuitive and natural.•The nature and appropriateness of gestures used was not a primary factor in gesture elicitation when designing gesture based systems, and ease of technology implementation often took precedence.•Underpinning gesture theory focuses on gestures performed simultaneously with speech, and majority of gesture based interfaces are supported by other modes of interaction.•Gesture based research community seems disparate with little evidence of building upon prior work. A fundamental framework of gesture-based interaction is not evident.