Making Use of Drivers ’ Glances onto the Screen for Explicit Gaze-Based Interaction

Interaction with communication and infotainment systems in the car is common while driving. Our research investigates modalities and techniques that enable interaction with interactive applications while driving without compromising safety. In this paper we present the results of an experiment where we use eye-gaze tracking in combination with a button on the steering wheel as explicit input substituting the interaction on the touch screen. This approach combines the advantages of direct interaction on visual displays without the drawbacks of touch screens. In particular the freedom of placement for the screen (even out of reach from the user) and that both hands remain on the steering wheel are the main advantages. The results show that this interaction modality is slightly slower and more distracting than a touch screen but it is significantly faster than automated speech interaction. Categories and Subject Descriptors H.5.2 [Information interfaces and presentation]: User Interfaces, User-centered desig