Interacting with Smart Virtual Assistants for Individuals with Dysarthria: A Comparative Study on Usability and User Preferences
This study explores the effectiveness and user experience of different interaction methods used by individuals with dysarthria when engaging with Smart Virtual Assistants (SVAs). It focuses on three primary modalities: direct speech commands through Alexa, non-verbal voice cues via the Daria system,...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/4/1409 |
| _version_ | 1797299035084685312 |
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| author | Aisha Jaddoh Fernando Loizides Omer Rana Yasir Ahmed Syed |
| author_facet | Aisha Jaddoh Fernando Loizides Omer Rana Yasir Ahmed Syed |
| author_sort | Aisha Jaddoh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explores the effectiveness and user experience of different interaction methods used by individuals with dysarthria when engaging with Smart Virtual Assistants (SVAs). It focuses on three primary modalities: direct speech commands through Alexa, non-verbal voice cues via the Daria system, and eye gaze control. The objective is to assess the usability, workload, and user preferences associated with each method, catering to the varying communication capabilities of individuals with dysarthria. While Alexa and Daria facilitate voice-based interactions, eye gaze control offers an alternative for those unable to use voice commands, including users with severe dysarthria. This comparative approach aims to determine how the usability of each interaction method varies, conducted with eight participants with dysarthria. The results indicated that non-verbal voice interactions, particularly with the Daria system, were favored because of their lower workload and ease of use. The eye gaze technology, while viable, presented challenges in terms of the higher workload and usability. These findings highlight the necessity of diversifying interaction methods with SVAs to accommodate the unique needs of individuals with dysarthria. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:44:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9501a94f961e4ec4aa82f9830505f399 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:44:46Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-9501a94f961e4ec4aa82f9830505f3992024-02-23T15:05:54ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-02-01144140910.3390/app14041409Interacting with Smart Virtual Assistants for Individuals with Dysarthria: A Comparative Study on Usability and User PreferencesAisha Jaddoh0Fernando Loizides1Omer Rana2Yasir Ahmed Syed3School of Computer Science and Informatics, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4AG, UKSchool of Computer Science and Informatics, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4AG, UKSchool of Computer Science and Informatics, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4AG, UKSchool of Computer Science and Informatics, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4AG, UKThis study explores the effectiveness and user experience of different interaction methods used by individuals with dysarthria when engaging with Smart Virtual Assistants (SVAs). It focuses on three primary modalities: direct speech commands through Alexa, non-verbal voice cues via the Daria system, and eye gaze control. The objective is to assess the usability, workload, and user preferences associated with each method, catering to the varying communication capabilities of individuals with dysarthria. While Alexa and Daria facilitate voice-based interactions, eye gaze control offers an alternative for those unable to use voice commands, including users with severe dysarthria. This comparative approach aims to determine how the usability of each interaction method varies, conducted with eight participants with dysarthria. The results indicated that non-verbal voice interactions, particularly with the Daria system, were favored because of their lower workload and ease of use. The eye gaze technology, while viable, presented challenges in terms of the higher workload and usability. These findings highlight the necessity of diversifying interaction methods with SVAs to accommodate the unique needs of individuals with dysarthria.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/4/1409usabilitydysarthriasmart virtual assistantsaccessibilityassistive technology |
| spellingShingle | Aisha Jaddoh Fernando Loizides Omer Rana Yasir Ahmed Syed Interacting with Smart Virtual Assistants for Individuals with Dysarthria: A Comparative Study on Usability and User Preferences Applied Sciences usability dysarthria smart virtual assistants accessibility assistive technology |
| title | Interacting with Smart Virtual Assistants for Individuals with Dysarthria: A Comparative Study on Usability and User Preferences |
| title_full | Interacting with Smart Virtual Assistants for Individuals with Dysarthria: A Comparative Study on Usability and User Preferences |
| title_fullStr | Interacting with Smart Virtual Assistants for Individuals with Dysarthria: A Comparative Study on Usability and User Preferences |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interacting with Smart Virtual Assistants for Individuals with Dysarthria: A Comparative Study on Usability and User Preferences |
| title_short | Interacting with Smart Virtual Assistants for Individuals with Dysarthria: A Comparative Study on Usability and User Preferences |
| title_sort | interacting with smart virtual assistants for individuals with dysarthria a comparative study on usability and user preferences |
| topic | usability dysarthria smart virtual assistants accessibility assistive technology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/4/1409 |
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