Interactive Technologies Research Group

Eye-tracking and Intelligent Interfaces

• Expertise and Engagement in Collaborative Tasks: Modeling and Support using Eye-Movement Tracking (Academy of Finland)

  This Academy of Finland funded project seeks to develop new methods to analyze and employ eye-movement tracking in collaborative contexts. We study how engagement and other aspects of collaboration can be predicted from the behavioral data and later supported by intelligent proactive interfaces.

  Principal investigator: Roman Bednarik

• Problem solving and gaze-based interaction

  When users interact with a computer interface using a gaze-based method, their problem-solving strategies are likely to change. We study the effects of the gaze-based modality and its potential uses to improve problem-solving performance.

  Principal investigator: Tersia //Gowases

• Visual attention and situation awareness in neurosurgery

  The conduct of neurosurgical operation requires routine uninterrupted concentration and at the same time orchestration of the collaborating experts. We study how the visual attention contributes to the situation awareness of the neurosurgeons, what are the effects of expertise, and based on the results, we aim at improvement of the interaction with the neurosurgery optical devices.

  Principal investigator: Shahram Eivazi

• Computational approaches to visual attention analysis

  Human activity during interaction with technology is presumably involuntary reflected in eye movements. Prior research focused on pupillary responses, and more recently on fixation, saccades and smooth pursuit as a source for feature extraction. However, employed techniques and chosen features differ across research and experiments. The background knowledge about the feasible features and their sensitivity to human cognition and other aspects of interactive behavior is missing. My thesis investigates the potentials of machine learning and pattern recognition approaches in eye-tracking and focuses on relation between eye movements, features and aspects of social, emotional, cognitive and other behavioral states.

  Principal investigator: Hana Vrzakova

Inclusive design

• Institute of Inclusive Science and Solutions (IISS)

  IISS is a kick-off project for establishing the Institute for Inclusive Science and Solutions that consist of interdisciplinary Research Plaza, Research Incubator and Research Space.

  ITRG participants: Markku Tukiainen (project co-leader).

• ATE (Everyday Technologies for Children with Special Needs)

  In ATE, we study how to design interactive technology for children with special needs in co-operation with their parents and teachers. In addition, we experiment with different types of interaction and interfaces and evaluate their usability and user experience for children with special needs.

  ITRG participants: Markku Tukiainen (project co-leader); Tommi Fredriksson, Víctor Gonzalo, Hana Vrzáková (programming)

• Seniors’ Club

  Since 2006, our research group has run an ICT club for elderly people. Seniors’ Club is a meeting point for elderly people and researchers, in which elderly people can acquire ICT skills, socialize and learn about the possibilities of ICT, and researchers can learn about the needs and life of elderly people.

  ITRG participants: Markku Tukiainen (project co-leader); Janne Krohns, Säde Lind (club tutors)

• Virtual 10: (Cognitive and Social Activation of Elderly People via Technology Mediated services)

  The project aims at enriching the life of elderly people living in nursing homes and institutional care by the means of technological innovations. During the project, we build up easy-to-use hardware from existing, low cost materials, and develop tailored user interfaces that take into account the diverse skills of the elderly. Leading principles guiding our design and development work include user centred, participatory approach and multidisciplinary collaboration.

  ITRG participants: Markku Tukiainen (project co-leader); Säde Lind (user research); Harri Karhu (programming)

Empirical software engineering

• Software Factory

  Software Factory is a co-operative platform for software business, research and education. In 7-week development cycles of Software Factory, IT companies can develop further their innovative ideas or concepts, computer science students get valuable work experience, and researchers can get access to a very authentic environment in which to study various aspects of collaborative software development.

  ITRG participants: Markku Tukiainen, Sami Pietinen