A Field Evaluation: The Effects of Rear-Camera-On Mode for Texting While Walking

Using a smartphone while walking (e.g., texting-while-walking) is a dual task causing cognitive distraction. Several solutions have been proposed to improve pedestrian safety by researchers in CHI community as well as industries, including transparent texting technique, which enables the device’s camera continuously capture and present video images as a background within a text messaging session. We conducted an experiment to evaluate the effects of rear-camera-on mode on typing speed, typing accuracy and walking speed. For a better manipulation, we designed an app for iPhone 5S that can record the user input data with millisecond precision and enable the user to switch on/off the rear camera within a texting session. In our study, 12 participants evaluated the performance of transparent texting. The ANOVA for typing speed, typing accuracy in two different typing conditions showed there were no significant differences at the 5 % significant level. However, there was a significant difference between the average walking speeds in two conditions at the 5 % significant level.