Gaze Gaming Tech Promises Faster Eye-Controlled Interaction

NewScientist is reporting that further research is progressing on new types of user input devices. Specifically, "gaze gaming," a technology that promises faster interaction using only your eyes. Currently technology for sight-based interaction is far too slow for practical applications in things like gaming. "Eye-gaze systems bounce infrared light from LEDs at the bottom of a computer monitor and track a person's eye movements using stereo infrared cameras. This setup can calculate where on a screen the user is looking with an accuracy of about 5 mm."

Sounds like the Great Equalizer...

[amplt1337]

at least for FPS.

Otherwise, mostly a Gee Whiz! tech, though I suppose it could have useful applications for the disabled. But I wonder if we won't see wrist-based Repetitive Motion problems transferred to increased eyestrain...

Re:Imagine turning this technology into a mouse

[dreamchaser]

Human's eyes dart around way too much for that to really be workable IMO. As an adjunct to a mouse for fast targeting it might have gaming and military applications though.

Ok, I only see one issue

[Aranykai]

There is going to have to be a very accurate system of "disabling tracking". I mean, take the FPS example. How often am I going to be spinning around when I glance down for a quick ammo count?

Or, if you look up to check your HP/MP in an MMO, will you be randomly changing targets, or worse, disengaging them to move?

Its an interesting idea, definitely useful for somethings, but it shouldn't ever take the place of a mechanical pointing device like a mouse or trackball.

Shifty eyes

[Rob T Firefly]

This seems like a good idea in theory, but in reality we rarely keep our eyes fixed on any point with all that much precision. Our eyes are always shifting around to get a bigger picture of things most of the time, even when we're trying to hold a steady gaze on something. Trying to precisely control a game, or anything else, with one's eyes seems to me like much more trouble than it's worth.

Oh no!

[ghstomahawks]

Forget "the great equalizer". With my lazy eye I'll be staring up at the heavens spinning in circles all game long ... that is all game until my head gets blown off repeatedly.

Re:I hope this is not only for games

[PatboyX]

Maybe the problem is that we are thinking of using this new tech for existing and somewhat limited metaphors for a workspace. If we start with this as an input method, maybe we would create a workstation that would address the above issues such as wanting to be able to interact with something I am not focusing on, accidental blinks, etc. So...yeah, start working on that.

Re:Eye tracking is dumb.

[theaceoffire]

Imagine this:
When you focus on something, more info about it slowly appears.

Either it becomes more detailed then the suroundings, or details like health, stamina, or whatever.

It could be quite impressive.

Re:Imagine turning this technology into a mouse

[Anonymous Coward]

You'd look at your enemy, but that's not precise enough for careful aim. If I want to make a headshot from a long range, I need point and click accuracy. Not to mention if you get distracted right before you fire (say, by one of the many explosions on screen) and your eyes jump, you'd certainly miss.

Re:Shifty eyes

[Anonymous Coward]

Not a problem as long as it's done on request only.

For example, I'm proofreading a document, find an error, hit a key to position the cursor right where I'm looking at (Might be a problem for hunter/peckers)

Playing a game, I see a new target, right click to move the mouse to that position or to lock on him right away.

Blinking could be using for the click, but that might be problematic. Personally I can wiggle my ears, which would be a had way to interface for that click.

It's a little harder to do on an FPS as the thing your eyes focus on moves as you focus on it.

Why should it be used as a pointing device?

[Brandano]

Imagine using this feature to render highly detailed 3D images only where the user is actually looking. The peripheral vision is almost useless, the actual area that does most of the seeing is in the center of the retina. The brain fills in the blanks and keeps a mental image of what you are seeing that gets updated through rpid eye movement. With a smart setup this could be translated in a huge screen that appears to have a large resolution in every direction while keeping the processing power requirements still accessible. The mouse is a great interface, I don't see any reason to replace that just yet.