Prototyping-Based Study of Designs for Eye-Tracking Interface in Augmentative and Alternative Communication Applications

This establishes a basic template for the interface design of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) software that use eye-gaze tracking technology as input. The main aim is to highlight desirable and undesirable characteristics in the user interface regarding usability. To do so, we conducted a systematic evaluation of the commercially available products and from that drawn design criteria, which combined with modern usability requirements, were used to develop an user interface prototype. This prototype was refined through evolutionary prototyping methodology. Several usability tests were performed to evaluate the design regarding: consistency, comprehensibility, clarity, flexibility, efficiency, consistency and potential for customization. The feedback from the users was integrated in subsequent iterations of the design. The prototyping process is used as the process for a critical analysis to address drawbacks in standard designs. As result, we provide a basic template that aggregate qualities of previous designs and minimizes drawbacks whenever possible, and that can be used as guideline for further development of tools for AAC.