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Eye Tracking based Usability Evaluation of a Hand Exoskeleton for People with Neuromotor Deficits
We investigate and apply user-centered design to wearable robotic assistive technology to tackle the currently prominent user-acceptance issues. In this project, eye tracking is aimed to be tested as a new assessment tool to evaluate the qualitative usability of the RELab tenoexo hand exoskeleton.
Keywords: hand exoskeleton, wearable robots, assistive technology, usability, user experience, user-centered design
Usability is a key aspect of the technology acceptance of assistive devices for people with neuromotor deficits. The understanding and integration of target users’ requirements and needs are crucial to develop useful devices for daily life applications. A lack of tools for the assessment of usage context and collection of prior user experience currently limits such data collection, comparison, and integration into device development. Consequentially, many research projects fail to perform and assist in real-world environments, clinics or user’s homes due to lacking user-centered development (UCD) approaches. Apart from the end-users with neuromotor deficits, different stages and processes during the use of wearable robots involve other stakeholders such as therapists or caregivers. A user-centered design approach should, therefore, consider all stakeholders involved and investigate their perception of usefulness towards the device.
Eye tracking technology bears the potential to investigate sub-conscious movements and behaviors and therefrom, identify problems in usability and device handling. In this project, eye tracking is aimed to be tested as a new assessment tool to evaluate the qualitative usability of the RELab tenoexo hand exoskeleton.
Usability is a key aspect of the technology acceptance of assistive devices for people with neuromotor deficits. The understanding and integration of target users’ requirements and needs are crucial to develop useful devices for daily life applications. A lack of tools for the assessment of usage context and collection of prior user experience currently limits such data collection, comparison, and integration into device development. Consequentially, many research projects fail to perform and assist in real-world environments, clinics or user’s homes due to lacking user-centered development (UCD) approaches. Apart from the end-users with neuromotor deficits, different stages and processes during the use of wearable robots involve other stakeholders such as therapists or caregivers. A user-centered design approach should, therefore, consider all stakeholders involved and investigate their perception of usefulness towards the device. Eye tracking technology bears the potential to investigate sub-conscious movements and behaviors and therefrom, identify problems in usability and device handling. In this project, eye tracking is aimed to be tested as a new assessment tool to evaluate the qualitative usability of the RELab tenoexo hand exoskeleton.
1. Investigate common practice and recommendations in user experience and usability evaluation of wearable robotic assistive technologies
2. Familiarize with the RELab tenoexo hand exoskeleton and define user instructions
3. Establish an eye-tracking-based evaluation protocol to assess different usage stages of the RELab tenoexo
4. Identify and analyze potential usability issues of the RELab tenoexo and draw conclusions to promote further prototype development
1. Investigate common practice and recommendations in user experience and usability evaluation of wearable robotic assistive technologies
2. Familiarize with the RELab tenoexo hand exoskeleton and define user instructions
3. Establish an eye-tracking-based evaluation protocol to assess different usage stages of the RELab tenoexo
4. Identify and analyze potential usability issues of the RELab tenoexo and draw conclusions to promote further prototype development
- 15% Literature review of user experience and usability evaluation standards
- 25% Familiarization with the device and user manual definition
- 40% Testing, evaluating and analysing usage processes with eye tracking
- 10% Technological support and troubleshooting of the hand exoskeleton
- 10% Prepare presentations and a final report of the project
- 15% Literature review of user experience and usability evaluation standards - 25% Familiarization with the device and user manual definition - 40% Testing, evaluating and analysing usage processes with eye tracking - 10% Technological support and troubleshooting of the hand exoskeleton - 10% Prepare presentations and a final report of the project
- Enthusiasm for clinical/home applications of rehabilitation robotics
- Interest in user experience research and user-centred design
- Interest in wearable robotic device development and testing
- Ability to work and independently and organizational talent
- Enthusiasm for clinical/home applications of rehabilitation robotics - Interest in user experience research and user-centred design - Interest in wearable robotic device development and testing - Ability to work and independently and organizational talent
Jan T. Meyer, MSc Medical Technology
Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory ETH Zurich
jan.meyer@hest.ethz.ch