Quantifying saccades while walking: validity of a novel velocity-based algorithm for mobile eye tracking

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2014:2014:5739-42. doi: 10.1109/EMBC.2014.6944931.

Abstract

We validate a novel algorithm to detect saccades from raw data obtained during walking from a mobile infra-red eye-tracking device. The algorithm was based on a velocity threshold detection method, which excluded artefacts such as blinks and flickers using specific criteria. Mobile infra-red eye-tracking was performed with a group of healthy older adults (n=5) and Parkinson's disease (n=5) subjects. Saccades determined from raw eye tracker data obtained during walking using the algorithm were compared to a ground truth dataset defined as frame-by-frame visual inspection of raw eye-tracking videos. 100 trials from 10 subjects were analyzed and compared. The algorithm was highly reliable when compared to the ground truth (ICC(2,1) = 0.94), with an overall correct saccade detection percentage of 85%. This provides a simple yet robust algorithm for the analysis of mobile eye-tracking data.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Artifacts
  • Blinking
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Saccades*
  • Walking*