MyEyes: The design and evaluation of first person view video streaming for long-distance couples

Couples in long distance relationships rely on the use of video chat systems to help maintain their relationship. However, designs are typically limited to only supporting face-to-face conversations or providing narrow fields of view. I designed and evaluated MyEyes, a First Person View video streaming system made with cardboard goggles and a smartphone. Distance-separated partners see each other’s view on their screen where it can overlap their own view (Overlapped), be placed above it (Horizontal), or presented at the same time where each is seen with a different eye (Split). I compared the three different views with 12 pairs of couple to explore the effect on social presence and body ownership. My results showed: (1). Overlapped View was most preferred by couples and it provided strongest co-presence while Horizontal View provided the greatest mutual understanding. (2). Couples valued performing synchronized acts together and doing activities ‘in’ the remote location. I discussed design implications for future first person view video technologies including enhancing social presence and body ownership in each interface. Future designers should also investigate privacy concern when using the system in public and how to provide greater control of video streams.