This project will develop a low cost binocular pupillometer using the Raspberry Pi computer and camera for data collection. The Raspberry Pi and associated cameras are available in a variety of formats including the latest Raspberry Pi 4 and a much smaller Raspberry Pi zero. The aim is to develop and test various combinations of Raspberry Pi and cameras in order to identify the optimum combination in terms of accuracy of pupil measurement, ease of use, and cost of components. Once the prototype is developed and tested it will be evaluated in a series of experiments. The first experiment will look at the relationship between pupil dilation and cognitive load. Participants will be presented with a series of cognitive tasks that increase in difficulty, thus increasing cognitive load. Previous research in this area has shown that pupils tend to dilate as cognitive load increases. A second experiment will look at the impact of emotional valence on pupil dilation. Both of these studies will form the basis of a validation of our prototype and will result in publications.
Team: Dr Peter Eachus