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Haier demos eye-controlled TV prototype – we try it out

Haier demos eye-controlled TV prototype – we try it out
Haier's prototype TV, with its eye-tracking sensor bar in the foreground
Haier's prototype TV, with its eye-tracking sensor bar in the foreground
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The calibration process requires each user to track an orange dot as it moves around the screen
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The calibration process requires each user to track an orange dot as it moves around the screen
The TV's eye-tracking sensor bar
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The TV's eye-tracking sensor bar
Haier's prototype TV, with its eye-tracking sensor bar in the foreground
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Haier's prototype TV, with its eye-tracking sensor bar in the foreground
Haier's prototype eye-controlled TV, and its eye-tracking sensor bar
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Haier's prototype eye-controlled TV, and its eye-tracking sensor bar
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While IFA 2012 may be thought of primarily as a venue for electronics manufacturers to unveil their latest products, it’s also a chance for them to showcase technologies that they’re still developing. An example of the latter is the prototype eye-controlled TV, created by Chinese electronics firm Haier. We had a chance to try it for ourselves, on the trade show floor in Berlin.

While the TV itself is made by Haier, its eye-tracking technology was developed by Tobii – the same company that has brought us an eye-controlled laptop, a mousing system, and even an Asteroids arcade game.

The TV’s eye-tracking system needs to be calibrated for each user, before they can use it. This involves visually tracking an orange dot as it moves around the screen, without moving your head. According to Gizmag’s James Holloway, who served as our guinea pig, this is a lot harder than it might sound.

The TV's eye-tracking sensor bar
The TV's eye-tracking sensor bar

As the user follows the dot, a sensor bar facing them tracks their eye movements. Once the system is calibrated, that user can then use their eyes to control the TV – they simply look at control icons in one corner of the screen, and blink to select between them. Again, as with the calibration process, they have to keep their head still while doing so.

James found the volume adjustment particularly tricky, as it involves looking at specific buttons for “volume up” and “volume down.” Having already activated the television’s “Volume Control Mode,” he wondered why the user couldn’t then simply look left or right to bring the volume up or down.

Perhaps that might be addressed in subsequent incarnations of the system, as it is still very much in the prototype stage. In a future version of the system, Haier reportedly plans on integrating the eye-tracking sensor directly into the TV.

Although the technology is challenging to use at this point, James tells us that is definitely does work, which is an impressive feat in and of itself.

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1 comment
1 comment
Per Lind
Interesting but not a new idea. I just wonder on the pricing bit. The Tobii unit shown in the picture, as far as I understand, cost over US$ 19.000, so it is going to be an expensive telly! Just for Ben's information, you can run a computer by using your eyes alone today.