Wearable Eye Tracker Puts Microsoft Kinect to the Test

The UK-based usability company, User Vision, is demonstrating that eye tracking usability testing isn’t just for computer applications and websites. User Vision recently conducted a usability study on the Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 to evaluate user experience. Test subjects wore Tobii Glasses while they set up and played the game, Reflex Ridge. The eye tracking glasses recorded data on where the subjects looked while interacting with the console, as well as their visual behavior while they played the game.

The results of the eye tracking research suggested that the game was not user friendly and resulted in frustration and a negative user experience. Beyond the realization that the game was confusing to set up and play, the researchers discovered which instructions were unread and which were misunderstood. In some cases, instructions on the screen were viewed; however, the tips were not processed because they resulted in minimal change in user performance.

Insight like this is what is inspiring companies large and small to use eye tracking to test the usability of their products. Eye tracking enables researchers to collect data on which elements of any media are successful and which are being overlooked. Advancements in wearable eye tracking technology like the Tobii glasses, SMI GazeWear, and other wearable eye trackers, are opening up even more possibilities for usability research. In the past, this type of research was restricted to a laboratory environment where users viewed images on a computer screen. Now studies can be conducted in the field, creating a more realistic testing experience, and providing companies with more accurate feedback.

Has anyone else had success using a wearable eye tracker for research on active subjects?

Check out the full press release here.

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