Eye-Tracking in Interactive Virtual Environments: Implementation and Evaluation

Not all eye-tracking methodology and data processing are equal. While the use of eye-tracking is intricate because of its grounding in visual physiology, traditional 2D eye-tracking methods are supported by software, tools, and reference studies. This is not so true for eye-tracking methods applied in virtual reality (imaginary 3D environments). Previous research regarded the domain of eye-tracking in 3D virtual reality as an untamed realm with unaddressed issues. The present paper explores these issues, discusses possible solutions at a theoretical level, and offers example implementations. The paper also proposes a workflow and software architecture that encompasses an entire experimental scenario, including virtual scene preparation and operationalization of visual stimuli, experimental data collection and considerations for ambiguous visual stimuli, post-hoc data correction, data aggregation, and visualization. The paper is accompanied by examples of eye-tracking data collection and evaluation based on ongoing research of indoor evacuation behavior

EyeTribe Tracker Data Accuracy Evaluation and Its Interconnection with Hypothesis Software for Cartographic Purposes

The mixed research design is a progressive methodological discourse that combines the advantages of quantitative and qualitative methods. Its possibilities of application are, however, dependent on the efficiency with which the particular research techniques are used and combined. The aim of the paper is to introduce the possible combination of Hypothesis with EyeTribe tracker. The Hypothesis is intended for quantitative data acquisition and the EyeTribe is intended for qualitative (eye-tracking) data recording. In the first part of the paper, Hypothesis software is described. The Hypothesis platform provides an environment for web-based computerized experiment design and mass data collection. Then, evaluation of the accuracy of data recorded by EyeTribe tracker was performed with the use of concurrent recording together with the SMI RED 250 eye-tracker. Both qualitative and quantitative results showed that data accuracy is sufficient for cartographic research. In the third part of the paper, a system for connecting EyeTribe tracker and Hypothesis software is presented. The interconnection was performed with the help of developed web application HypOgama. The created system uses open-source software OGAMA for recording the eye-movements of participants together with quantitative data from Hypothesis. The final part of the paper describes the integrated research system combining Hypothesis and EyeTribe

Představení projektu GAČR: Identifikace bariér v procesu komunikace prostorových sociálně-demografických informací

Příspěvek byl podpořen projektem GAČR – 23-06187S – Identifikace bariér v procesu komunikace prostorových sociálně-demografických informac

Cross-cultural differences in visual perception

According to recent cross-cultural studies there exist culturally based differences between visual perception and the related cognitive processes (attention, memory). According to current research, East Asians and Westerners percieve and think about the world in very different ways. Westerners are inclined to attend to some focal object (a salient object within a perception field that is relatively big in size, fast moving, colourful) focusing on and analyzing its attributes. East Asians on the other hand are more likely to attend to a broad perceptual field, noticing relationships and changes. In this paper we want to describe the recent findings in the field and propose some directions for future research

The Hypothesis Platform: An Online Tool for Experimental Research into Work with Maps and Behavior in Electronic Environments

The article presents a testing platform named Hypothesis. The software was developed primarily for the purposes of experimental research in cartography and psychological diagnostics. Hypothesis is an event-logger application which can be used for the recording of events and their real-time processing, if needed. The platform allows for the application of Computerized Adaptive Testing. The modularity of the platform makes it possible to integrate various Processing.js-based applications for creation and presentation of rich graphic material, interactive animations, and tasks involving manipulation with 3D objects. The Manager Module allows not only the administration of user accounts and tests but also serves as a data export tool. Raw data is exported from the central database in text format and then converted in the selection module into a format suitable for statistical analysis. The platform has many functions e.g., the creation and administration of tasks with real-time interaction between several participants (“multi-player function”) and those where a single user completes several tests simultaneously (“multi-task function”). The platform may be useful e.g., for research in experimental economics or for studies involving collaborative tasks. In addition, connection of the platform to an eye-tracking system is also possible

Effect of Size, Shape and Map Background in Cartographic Visualization: Experimental Study on Czech and Chinese Populations

This paper deals with the issue of the perceptual aspects of selected graphic variables (specifically shape and size) and map background in cartographic visualization. The continued experimental study is based on previous findings and the presupposed cross-cultural universality of shape and size as a graphic variable. The results bring a new perspective on the usage of shape, size and presence/absence of background as graphic variables, as well as a comparison to previous studies. The results suggest that all examined variables influence the speed of processing. Respondents (Czech and Chinese, N = 69) identified target stimuli faster without a map background, with larger stimuli, and with triangular and circular shapes. Czech respondents were universally faster than Chinese respondents. The implications of our research were discussed, and further directions were outlined

VR-pilots

Aplikace je leteckým simulátorem pro piloty paraglidingu. Jedná se o aplikaci pro imerzivní virtuální realitu připravenou v Unity.The application is an flying simulator for paragliding pilots. it is a application for immersive virtual reality developed in Unity

Exploring cross-cultural variations in visual attention patterns inside and outside national borders using immersive virtual reality

Abstract We examined theories of cross-cultural differences in cognitive style on a sample of 242 participants representing five cultural groups (Czechia, Ghana, eastern and western Turkey, and Taiwan). The experiment involved immersive virtual environments consisting of two salient focal objects and a complex background as stimuli, which were presented using virtual reality headsets with integrated eye-tracking devices. The oculomotor patterns confirmed previous general conclusions that Eastern cultures have a more holistic cognitive style, while Western cultures predominantly have an analytic cognitive style. The differences were particularly noticeable between Taiwan and the other samples. However, we found that the broader cultural background of each group was perhaps just as important as geographical location or national boundaries. For example, observed differences between Eastern (more holistic style) and Western Turkey (more analytic style), suggest the possible influence of varying historical and cultural characteristics on the cognitive processing of complex visual stimuli