Who needs thumbs for scrolling when you have eyes?
Summary
The recommendations could help device manufacturers and app developers unlock the full potential of eye-tracking as a reliable method for interacting with screens in a wider range of situations. Dr Khamis said: “Apple’s eye-tracking function has helped disabled people use touch-free interactions with their devices more comfortably and effectively, but for the moment it only works in very limited circumstances. The study participants had their gaze tracked by an iPhone X across a series of situations which varied the size, shape and position of onscreen icons, and users’ distance from the screen. They also noted that the phone’s cameras were much better at picking up a side-to-side motion of the eyes than up-and-down, and that adding an extra invisible area around elements could improve accuracy. We’re in the process of seeking further funding to expand the scope of our research.” The paper builds on previous research from the Glasgow group, which has also provided insights into the most effective uses of different methods of gaze interaction.