Research Statement

Gaze tracking technology has emerged as a valuable tool for capturing human cognition. The field of psychology has extensively studied eye movement patterns during reading. The phenomenon of regressions, which are instances of backward reading, are compared to the typical forward flow of text and sentence disambiguation. Furthermore, long regressive eye movements, where readers regress more than ten letter spaces, have been associated with difficulties in text comprehension. Understanding these eye movement characteristics and their relationship to text comprehension can provide valuable information for assessing reading difficulty, identifying areas that may require additional clarification or improvement, and ultimately enhancing the overall reading experience. Further research in this area can help uncover additional insights and potential applications for automated analysis of document readability based on eye gaze data.

My research direction aims to explore the novel application of eye-gaze in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) based on the following propositions:

1. Richness of Information: Eye-gaze data provides a more comprehensive and intricate representation of a person's interests and intentions compared to traditional pointing gestures. By analyzing eye-gaze patterns, we can gain deeper insights into user behavior and cognitive processes, enabling us to design more personalized and effective interactive systems.

2. Multimodal Systems: Eye-gaze has the potential to serve as a vital channel in future multimodal HCI systems. By combining eye-gaze with other modalities such as speech, touch, or gestures, we can create more immersive and intuitive interfaces that leverage the strengths of each modality. This integration can enhance the overall user experience and enable more natural and efficient interaction with digital devices.

3. HCI Interfaces: Eye-gaze holds significant promise in the context of human-computer interaction interfaces, particularly in situations where direct manipulation interfaces may not be feasible or optimal. Eye-gaze can offer alternative input mechanisms, enabling individuals with motor impairments or physical limitations to interact with computers and digital systems effectively. Additionally, eye-gaze can facilitate gaze-based interaction techniques that are more efficient for certain tasks or contexts, such as selecting objects on a screen or navigating complex information spaces. 

By embracing these propositions, my research aims to explore the potential of eye-gaze as a valuable input modality in HCI. Through empirical studies, usability evaluations, and the development of novel interaction techniques, I seek to advance our understanding of eye-gaze-based interfaces and contribute to the design of more intuitive, inclusive, and efficient human-computer interaction systems.