FaceLooks: A Smart Headband for Signaling Face-to-Face Behavior.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Behavioral Science
• Wearable Technology

Background:

• Face-to-face interaction and mutual head orientation are crucial for communication.
• Limited practical tools exist to objectively measure these behaviors.
• Challenges in quantifying social interaction hinder research and therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce FaceLooks, a novel headband device for measuring face-to-face states.
• To evaluate the device's accuracy and feasibility in laboratory and real-world settings.
• To explore its application in behavioral healthcare, particularly for children with developmental disorders.

Main Methods:

• Development of a headband device using infrared sensors to detect mutual head orientation.
• Laboratory experiments with dummy heads to assess detection range and response time.
• Laboratory testing with human participants using gaze trackers for validation.
• Field studies with children with intellectual disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorders in school settings.

Main Results:

• FaceLooks demonstrated accurate detection range and response times in laboratory settings.
• Device performance showed substantial agreement with human observers and gaze trackers.
• Children in field studies accepted wearing the device in school environments.
• Visual feedback from the device increased face-to-face behavior duration in children.

Conclusions:

• FaceLooks is a practical and wearable tool for quantifying face-to-face behavior.
• The device has significant potential for therapeutic and experimental applications in behavioral healthcare.
• It offers a method to objectively measure and influence social interaction behaviors.