Sentient Services
Usability Lab Opens
[January 2008]
Sentient has launched a dedicated state-of-the-art usability lab – SPROUT Usability Labs. Why the different name, you ask? While SPROUT Usability Labs is a Sentient Services company we wanted it to have a standalone brand, location and business entity to allow all usability professionals (agencies and clients alike) access to this amazing resource for the Austin usability, software and interactive community.
As a company Sentient has had more and more clients looking for a rapid and scientific edge in design, usability, creative testing and product/software development. However, when we searched we could not find a state-of-the-art usability center that met our exacting standards - so we built one.
SPROUT Usability Labs is unique in several ways:
- It is solely dedicated to being an innovation and insights lab – all equipment is set up beforehand (no taping down wires, scheduling vendors or worrying)
- It is devoted to only one client and project at a time – completely private and secure
- The location is convenient and fun – in Austin on South Lamar, great for all of our Austin clients and a wonderful reason for our non-Austin clients to come visit! (we are also on the first story so you can bring in models and equipment easily)
- SPROUT has the latest technology, including a huge HD viewing screen, remote web viewing, studio-quality video/sound, and eye-tracking!
We have cutting edge eye-tracking hardware and software from Tobii, the world leader in eye-tracking solutions. This is a single unit with all tracking hardware built into the monitor (it looks just like a normal monitor, creating a realistic user experience). As a client you can view real-time gaze timelines and same-day heat mapping in the client lounge or remotely, allowing for instant feedback, discussion interjections and more.
Here is a direct link to Sentient’s User Experience practice with examples of eye-tracking, facility details and pictures.