Eye Tracking to Improve Reading Experience on Screens

Microsoft Computer Science, 2019-20

Liaison(s): Mike Bennett, Rob McKaughan ’98
Advisor(s): Katherine Breeden
Students(s): Alia Curtis (PM), Huey Fields, Michael Hamlett, Julia Wang, Iris Zhou

As eye-tracking hardware becomes cheaper and more widespread, Microsoft is interested in seeing how user-gaze information can drive improvements in user/device interactions, especially in the on-screen reading experience. The goals of this project are to research, collect and analyze eye-tracking data to identify signals that can characterize reading behaviors associated with eye strain. The team updated an eye-tracking application developed by last year’s Clinic team, designed and ran experimental trials and developed analytical methods to try to accurately predict eye strain.