HCI and usability research

Web usability study using a Tobii T60 Eye Tracker and Tobii Studio Remote Viewer.

Eye tracking is a well established technique for conducting research that embraces cognitive, social, pedagogical and other aspects of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and Man Machine Interaction (MMI). 

Research using Tobii eye trackers spans a broad range of user interfaces, supporting knowledge on both the human and the machine side:

• Evaluate human experiences and usability 

  Gaze plot visualization showing gaze data from a person browsing the Internet from a mobile phone. The test is using a Tobii X120 Eye Tracker.

  of websites, software, interactive TV, mobile devices and computer peripherals.
• Understand human perception of virtual environments and computer games.
• Study cognitive activities in computer-supported learning environments.
• Get valuable insights into human-digital map interaction.
• Examine human factors and improve ergonomics of large scale mechanical systems, such as aircraft and power plants.

 

Gaze replay video clip.

This movie shows the gaze of a person playing a computer game. 

Usability researchers are pairing think-aloud, observations and interviews with eye tracking to add detailed qualitative and quantitative data. Eye movements provide additional insights alongside traditional measures (e.g. success rate, errors) and subjective feedback (e.g. comments and ratings).

• Find out what visual cues at a web site drive users effectively.
• Understand what user interface elements lead to confusion.
• Determine why users fail in completing a specific task.
• Understand the decision making process.

In industrial design and industrial ergonomics, eye movements provide
important data for improving aesthetics, usability, engineering, production and marketability of physical products.

• Evaluate design of control panels, digital prototypes, physical products, packaging and labeling.