Visual perception and user experience Optimization: Exploring interaction design through static-triggered smooth pursuit systems

Abstract

This study investigates optimization strategies for smooth pursuit eye movements in eye-controlled interactive systems, aiming to enhance task efficiency and user experience. To address challenges such as visual clutter and cognitive load, a novel static-triggered smooth pursuit design is proposed. In this approach, interactive elements remain static until gaze contact initiates movement, after which they accelerate uniformly to a predefined maximum speed. The study employs an experimental methodology to evaluate the effects of three key parameters—acceleration duration, tracking speed, and required trigger duration—on visual search task performance and subjective user experience. Results indicate that the optimized interaction model significantly reduces task completion time and error rates, improving system accuracy. Optimal performance was achieved with a 0.5-second trigger duration, a tracking speed of 5 deg/s, and a 1-second acceleration duration. Longer trigger durations minimized erroneous activations, while moderate tracking speeds and gradual acceleration enhanced user control and reduced compensatory eye movements. Subjective evaluations confirmed improvements in visual perception, comfort, and user satisfaction. The proposed design offers practical guidelines for developing advanced eye-controlled systems, providing a theoretical foundation for enhancing interaction efficiency and user experience in smooth pursuit tasks, and advancing intelligent human–computer interaction systems.