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Richard Shaju
Richard Shaju

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Eye Tracking Technology

Eye tracking technology works by using various methods to monitor and record the movements and positions of the eyes. There are different techniques employed to achieve this, but the basic principle involves capturing the position of the pupil and sometimes the corneal reflection to determine where the person is looking.

The latest Apple device, the Apple Vision Pro, comes equipped with an eye-tracking feature that allows users to control their mouse movements.

Here's a general overview of how eye-tracking technology works:

Hardware Setup

Eye tracking systems typically consist of a camera or multiple cameras placed near the user's eyes. These cameras can be infrared, near-infrared, or even regular cameras depending on the specific technology being used.

Illumination

Infrared or near-infrared light sources are often used to illuminate the eyes. These light sources are not visible to the human eye but can be detected by the camera sensors. Illumination helps in enhancing the visibility of the eyes for tracking purposes. The infrared cameras are highly sensitive to the specific wavelength used by the LEDs. This allows them to effectively capture the reflected patterns even in low-light environments.

Image Processing

The eye tracking system captures images or video of the eyes. Advanced algorithms analyze these images to locate features such as the pupil, corneal reflections, and other distinctive markers.

Gaze Estimation

By tracking the position of the pupil and often the corneal reflection, the system can estimate where the user is looking. This information can be represented as coordinates on a screen or as a heatmap showing areas of interest.

Data Analysis

Eye tracking data can be further analyzed to derive insights such as fixation durations (how long the eyes remain still on a particular point), saccades (rapid eye movements between fixations), and gaze patterns.

Integration

Eye-tracking technology can be integrated into various devices and systems including computers, virtual reality headsets, and wearable devices. This integration allows for real-time tracking and interaction with digital content based on the user's gaze.

I hope you all were able to get a brief understanding of this technology.

🤔What will be the next product to integrate this technology? Comment below

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