Recording the eye movements of an individual generally using a mobile eye-tracker in a real, uncontrolled, often outdoor environment, possibly whilst the individual carried out a natural task.
Published in Chapter:
Eye-Tracking in the Real World: Insights About the Urban Environment
Jim Uttley (University of Sheffield, UK), James Simpson (University of Sheffield, UK), and Hussain Qasem (University of Sheffield, UK)
Copyright: © 2018
|Pages: 29
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-3637-6.ch016
Abstract
Visual behaviour provides an objective and measurable indication of cognitive processes and perceptions that may otherwise be difficult to assess. The development of eye-tracking technology has allowed the accurate and relatively convenient measurement of visual behaviour. Most research using this technology has been based in a laboratory setting. This is not without good reason, as eye-tracking ‘in the wild'—in real, naturalistic, and outdoor settings—poses logistical and methodological difficulties. One particular limitation that afflicts eye-tracking research, including real-world eye-tracking, is the difficulty in directly attributing attention to what is being looked at. This chapter presents three case studies that illustrate the use of eye-tracking in real-world settings with attempts to overcome this limitation. The chapter concludes by discussing the future direction of eye-tracking research, including how to integrate it with multisensory experiences, its use in conjunction with virtual reality technology, and its implications for urban planning and environmental design.