Swedish eye-tracking technology firm Tobii and Chinese electronic company Haire have joined forces to develop new technology for controlling your TV with just the blink of the eye. The technology known as ‘Gaze TV’ was unveiled at the Technology Trade show- IFA event in Berlin this month.
The gadget uses sensors that track the viewer’s eye movements to control the TV. As an alternative to the traditional remote control, the ‘Gaze’ TV will allow the viewer to navigate around the Television screen by the device tracking their gaze, allowing them to change the channel, adjust the volume or turn the TV on and off, their option being verified by simply blinking twice.
At this prototype stage of development the gadget is not integrated into the TV set, it consists of a sensor mechanism which is placed between the TV and the viewer. Before first use the sensor must be calibrated to each viewer, a process which requires them to follow orange spots on the screen in order for the device to adjust to their eye movements. It is believed that at this stage the experience may be less accurate for those that wear glasses.
Once the calibration process has been completed, the viewer’s eyes have full control over the onscreen choices, for instance looking downward activates the volume bar which is adjusted by looking directly at one button on either side.
The original concept for eye-controlled gadgets by Tobii was developed predominantly to assist those with disabilities to operate computers. Whilst this pricey development seems to have been established for more general use by the wider consumer body, to eradicate the remote control and offer more ease of enjoyment, with a more “natural” method of control.
It could, however be feared that the product, if permitted to be developed further could simply induce a lazier viewer.
