Concept for automated usability evaluation of graphical user interfaces

In this paper, the concept of a tool CogUA (Cognitive Usability Analysis) for automated usability evaluation of the Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) is presented. Results based on a first prototype implementation are discussed. The tool is designed to support the development of GUIs for an intuitive and safe operation of special-purpose machines. It aims at the prediction of usability before launching new user interfaces. The automated analysis can help to correct design errors at an early stage, which reduces the risk of software modifications during the final development phase. The tool is based on approaches from different areas of computer science: computer vision, data mining and cognitive modeling. Selected aspects of human capabilities can be mapped based on a cognitive model to simulate and analyze human behaviors. The modules of CogUA are based on computer vision and data mining for automated recognition of GUI elements and the identification of use cases respectively. The conceptual link of other modules of CogUA to the cognitive model is elaborated.