Eye Tracking And Gaze Interaction Go Hand-In-Hand, But Are Not The Same Thing

Business news source “The Truth Today” reports that the Eye Tracking Systems market will see exponential growth by the middle of the next decade – perhaps much earlier, if our research is correct. Eye tracking systems are being applied to all types of technology, improving VR and AR experiences, human-machine interactions, person to person communication, and much more. Eye Tracking technology is technology that monitors, measures, and records the movement of a user’s eyes, pupliary distance, focus distance, and other metrics to determine where an individual is looking. By using the properly tracked and measured information, properly equipped software and systems can gauge where an individual is looking at a screen, virtual, or hardware environment and adjust the experience to fit what the user is looking at or concentrating on.  Eye Tracking also allows properly equipped software and devices to adapt themselves to a user’s biological specifics to improve the individuals experience. For instance, by measuring an individuals pupilary distance, a VR headset device can adjust itself to provide that individual user the most effective and fulfilling VR exeperience.

Eye Tracking Systems In Medical Grade Tablets

Oftentimes, the terms ‘Eye Tracking’ and ‘Gaze Interaction’ may be used in similar contexts, or seemingly interchangeably. However, these refer to two different things. Gaze Interaction is a method of controlling software that uses Eye Tracking technology. Through Gaze Interaction control schemes, individuals are able to select items or options from a list or a VR environment, and interact with them in meaningful ways. Tablet computers that help the disabled and impaired communicate are one of the most common and well known uses for Gaze Interaction technology. Those with difficulty speaking and limited mobility utilize specialized tablet computers equipped with eye tracking technology. As they look at different letters or symbols on the screen, the eye tracking technology will determine where the individual is looking. If the individual looks at an area for long enough, or takes another defined action, the gaze interaction software will select that symbol, letter, or word, and add it to a message to be spoken aloud.

Gaze Interaction is just one possible application of extremely powerful Eye Tracking technology. The future includes not only improved VR and AR experiences, but also robots and virtual personalities that engage in a more meaningful way with humans, and more. Estone Technology is proud to be a partner in developing mobile computing systems that power and work with Eye Tracking and Gaze Interaction hardware and software. Our rugged medical tablet PCs and medical all-in-one panel PCs are already being used all over the world to help the disabled communicate – with more uses coming soon! Learn more about our Augmentative Communications solutions on our website.