Eye tracking technology has numerous applications, from entertainment to marketing research to assistive technologies. In fact, recent advances in the industry point to a future where few of our lives won’t be touched by eye tracking in some way. Here are five eye tracking technology applications that make our lives better in a variety of ways:
Our websites are more effective.
Eye tracking can be used to access and improve website usability, making websites more effective at reaching their goals, whether they intend to inform, entertain, or prompt us to make a purchase. Technologies, like our Encore Camera, provide a natural environment for conducting eye tracking studies so that website owners can get the most accurate information possible. We follow users’ gaze while they are searching for, and processing, information on a website, so webmasters can improve the user experience.
We can assist ALS patients in leading fuller lives.
Patients with mobility-limiting diseases, such as ALS, can benefit greatly from eye tracking technology. Our Eyegaze Edge® is an eye-operated communication and control system that allows ALS patients to communicate and interact with the world. Eyegaze Edge® users are writing books, attending school, and communicating with their loved ones – all through the power of their eyes.
We can diagnose autism earlier.
Research shows that infants who go on to develop autism not only look at faces less than other babies, but also look away from major facial features when a person speaks. Yale University School of Medicine researchers recently presented these ground-breaking findings that can help diagnose autism in children as young as 6 months of age. The researchers used eye tracking to carry out their studies and are hopeful that early detection can lead to social and behavioral interventions to help these young patients recover.
We’re becoming better readers.
Researchers in Germany are working on software called Text 2.0, which intends to use eye tracking cameras to adjust a text page online to display pop-up translations and meanings of difficult or foreign words. The technology will recognize skimming behavior and adjust the page to make keywords more prominent and common words fade out, helping to improve reading comprehension.
We can diagnose concussions with more confidence.
Numerous studies on mild traumatic brain injury suggest that the shearing of connections in the frontal area of the brain are the cause of memory and attention deficits that often result from concussion injuries. When doctors study patients’ eye movements, they can more quickly – and more correctly – diagnose a concussion so treatment can occur sooner.