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Behavioural Research News

 
www.tracksys.co.uk 0115 922 4539
July 2011
 
 

Tracksys Behavioural News 9

Our headline this issue is the arrival of SMIs Eye Tracking Glasses (ETG) - parallax free, binocular, with easy set up and analysis. We also have the release of FaceReader 4.0 and new user stories across a range of disciplines.

In this issue:
 

Product Update

Eye Tracking Glasses (ETG)

A new era in mobile eyetracking! ETG is a binocular system that is simple to use with powerful and fast analysis options. It can also be integrated with other technologies and sensors - e.g. EEG or GPS. 

ETG is a huge advance in mobile eyetracking ;

  • One point, lightning-fast calibration; with the option to recalibrate after data collection.
  • Tracking distance from 40cm to infinity. Resolution of 0.1 degree.
  • Gaze position accuracy 0.5 degree over all distances.
  • Tracking range of 70 degrees horizontal and 55 degrees vertical.
  • Sample rate; 30fps binocular.
  • A HD scene camera delivering a resolution of 1280 x 960.
  • Parallax-free binocular eyetracking.  
  • Sound recording.
  • Weighs just 75 grams.
  • Compatible with glasses and contact lenses.
  • Automatic analysis without the need for active markers.
  • Real-time access to the data.
  • Easy integration with other mobile technologies and sensors.
  • Can be used indoors and outdoors

Contact us to arrange a demonstration.

FaceReader 4.0 released

FaceReader 4.0 has been released with a host of new features including;

  • Increased accuracy using new 3D modelling algorithms
  • Massive increase in facial tracking points from 55 to 491
  • Quick analysis of multiple videos using the new batch option
  • API that allows other programs to react instantly to emotions

User Stories

Games Development and Usability Lab. at Staffordshire University

The Games Development and Usability Lab. at Staffordshire University is at the cutting edge of software testing. With funding from Advantage West Midlands and HEIF, the University has been able to construct a lab. perfectly designed for usability game research.

The lab. includes FaceReader and biometric measuring equipment, so the emotions of players can be analysed. This provides the potential for developing a Fear Index, enhancing the Pan-European Games Information (PEGI) system for rating games. In turn this will give consumers more relevant information about the effects of the games they may consider buying.

If you would like to know more please contact Dr Clive Chandler

Eyetracking children using a touchscreen at Newcastle University

Using a touchscreen with a remote eyetracker in studies with children posed a number of technical challenges for Dr Catherine O'Hanlon and Dr Jenny Read at Newcastle University;

  • Having the screen close enough for the child to reach it.
  • Having the eyetracker far enough away to get good data.
  • Keeping the children happy, but relatively still!

These issues were overcome by;

  • Mounting the RED on its remote foot and a touchscreen on a flexible arm, good tracking was achieved - although data was occasionally lost when the children were laughing!
  • Using a car-seat with a pressure sensor behind the head. Children were asked to keep their head in contact with the seat as this optimised the distance to the tracker. An alarm would sound if they moved forward.
  • Presenting stimuli on the lower section of the screen only as this optimised the viewing angle into the eyetracker. A custom-code generated a child-friendly calibration routine featuring animated figures calling the childs name.

Using this set-up children as young a 2 years old were tracked successfully. For more details please contact Jenny Read. Full user story here.

 

Using The Observer to measure cognitive development in children

David Whitebread is a long-standing user of The Observer (15 years and counting!).  For many years he has been using the software to study cognitive and metacognitive development  in children.

This work includes validating the Childs Independent Learning Development instrument - now used in the US and 5 European countries. A full account of Davids work with The Observer can be found here.

 

 

Training

29 Sept 2011

The Observer XT Training Workshop - to register click here

Conferences

24-27 Aug

British Psychopharmacology Conference - Harrogate

30 Aug - 3 Sept

EARLI - University of Exeter

1-2 Sept

Neuroscience Ireland - NUI Maynooth

6-8 Sept

BASES - University of Essex

7-9 Sept

Entomology 2011 - University of Greenwich

7-9 Sept

BPS Developmental - University of Newcastle

www.tracksys.co.uk 0115 922 4539 info@tracksys.co.uk