RSVP keyboard with inquiry preview: mixed performance and user experience with an adaptive, multimodal typing...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Assistive Technology

Background:

• The RSVP Keyboard is a brain-computer interface (BCI) for individuals with severe communication impairments.
• Developing adaptable interfaces is crucial for optimizing BCI usability.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce and evaluate the inquiry preview (IP) interface, a novel RSVP Keyboard feature incorporating switch input.
• Assess the impact of IP and switch input on typing performance and user experience (UX).

Main Methods:

• Collaborative design of IP with individuals with disabilities.
• Two experiments involving participants without disabilities and one individual with incomplete locked-in syndrome.
• Evaluation of typing speed and accuracy using copy-spelling tasks with different RSVP Keyboard conditions.

Main Results:

• For participants without disabilities, IP and switch input generally decreased typing speed and accuracy compared to the standard RSVP Keyboard.
• Significant individual variability was observed, with some users showing improved performance and UX with IP and switch input.
• The potential end user demonstrated comparable typing performance and favorable UX with IP and switch input, though preferring the standard RSVP Keyboard.

Conclusions:

• Inquiry preview (IP) offers a novel multimodal interface for the RSVP Keyboard BCI by integrating switch input.
• Typing performance, UX, and user preference for IP and switch input vary considerably, underscoring the need for flexible and personalized BCI solutions.
• The findings emphasize the importance of adaptive BCI systems tailored to individual user needs and capabilities.