Kiroll: A Gaze-Based Instrument for Quadriplegic Musicians Based on the Context-Switching Paradigm
Nicola Davanzo, Luca Valente, Luca A. Ludovico, Federico Avanzini · 2023
In recent years, Accessible Digital Musical Instruments (ADMIs) designed for motor-impaired individuals that incorporate gaze-tracking technologies have become more prevalent. To ensure a reliable user experience and minimize delays between actions and sound production, interaction methods must be carefully studied. This paper presents Kiroll, an affordable and open-source software ADMI specifically designed for quadriplegic users. Kiroll can be played by motor-impaired users through eye gaze for note selection and breath for sound control. The interface features the infinite keyboards context-switching interaction method, which exploits the smooth-pursuit capabilities of human eyes to provide an indefinitely scrolling layout so as to resolve the Midas Touch issue typical of gaze-based interaction. This paper outlines Kiroll’s interaction paradigm, features, implementation processes, and design approach.