Citation

De Graef P, Hamon G, Dorr M, Barth E. Eye Auto 2009; 2009: 19.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies suggested that visuo-motor performance may be enhanced by explicitly guiding the viewer's gaze to task-relevant locations. Our intention was to determine whether this goal might be achieved using unobtrusive gaze guidance techniques. Specifically, we hoped to either optimize tunnel navigation by novices by promoting steering along the optimal path, or to deteriorate expert performance by distracting the expert driver's attention to suboptimal locations such as off-tangent points in curves.

METHODS: In the current study, we present an experimental environment in which viewers are immersed in a virtual tunnel populated with navigation targets and obstacles along the main trajectory, as well as objects, dis- plays, and traffic signs along the tunnel walls. The subject's task is to accurately and quickly drive across all navigation targets. During navigation, eye movements are recorded, as are data from the controls (joystick, wheel). By using ray casting with the currently recorded x-y gaze coordinates and the virtual camera position as point of origin, accurate gaze-contingent manipulation is achieved. On each frame, features in the visual scene are recorded and used in real-time to control gaze-capturing events in the tunnel.

RESULTS: Gaze guidance effects were observed in terms of immediate oculomotor and steering responses, and also in terms of increased speed of learning for novices and rate of deterioration for expert drivers.

CONCLUSIONS: Gaze guidance constitutes a promising technique for shaping both the learning phase and the skilled execution of navigation and driving tasks.