When Is Self-Gaze Helpful? Examining Uni- vs Bi-directional Gaze Visualization in Collocated AR TasksDaniel Delgado, Christopher Bowers, Rodrigo Calvo, Jaime Ruiz

Shared-gaze visualizations (SGVs) in augmented reality enable collaborators to share focus and intentions through gaze interactions. Most prior research has examined bi-directional visualizations, where both users see their own and their partner’s gaze, to provide feedback on how their gaze is communicated to their partner. However, bi-directional SGV approaches are largely based on research for remote collaboration. In collocated settings, bi-directional SGVs can obstruct views and cause distractions. Additionally, collocated applications differ from remote ones. We propose that if eye-tracking is well-calibrated, bi-directional visualizations may be unnecessary in collocated settings. To explore this, we conducted a user study comparing perceptions of uni- and bi-directional gaze visualizations in a virtual collaborative sorting task. Our results suggest that self-gaze may not always be necessary for users; however, there are cases in which self-gaze helps them feel more confident in the task. We offer a deeper understanding for future collaborative gaze interaction systems.