Story
EYE-TRACKING RESEARCH IN ZERO-G
Japan, 2011: The plane pulls steeply upward. Climbs higher and higher. Until it reaches an angle of 47 degrees. Then the pilot throttles back and the plane slows down. Just a few seconds left until the most important part of the parabolic flight. The nose of the aircraft tilts downwards and the zero-g phase begins.
Among the passengers is the EyeSeeCam. Our eye-tracking system sits firmly on the subject’s head, who nevertheless hardly notices the apparatus. This makes the technology suitable even for unusual research situations with strong acting forces or during fast movements. On the zero-g flight, our camera precisely and reliably records how the eye movements change during the parabola. This is one of the reasons why the EyeSeeCam has already delivered numerous valid measurement results for neuroscientific research and provided high-quality eye-tracking data for medical diagnostics.
GAZE TRACKING WITH A DECISIVE ADVANTAGE
Our camera was first used in a scientific application in 2007. As part of the “Cognition for Technical Systems” Cluster of Excellence at LMU Munich, a team led by Prof. Dr. Erich Schneider developed a gaze-tracking system that precisely and quickly records eye movements even outside the laboratory. The first version of EyeSeeCam, the gaze-controlled camera, was initially used in various interdisciplinary research projects, including a study on autonomous driving. With its completely stable control, our camera provided the decisive advantage.
This was followed by other research projects at the intersection between humanity and technology, for example in robotics. And EyeSeeCam took its first steps in the direction of medicine. In a large-scale experiment, the gaze-controlled head camera recorded the visual behavior of color-blind people in nature. In this trial, the researchers sprinkled colored candy on a green meadow and, with the help of EyeSeeCam, recorded exactly where the test subjects directed their gaze and how their eyes moved. Our first gaze-tracking system also provided important findings under real-life test conditions for studies on fear of heights.
EYESEECAM GOES MEDICAL
For its innovative approach in eye-tracking research, the EyeSeeCam has received national and international attention and even won several awards. More and more inquiries about the eye-tracking system created by our Munich research group started coming in through trade shows and publications. One research project was followed by the next one.
In tandem with the eye-tracking research, the camera functionality also continues to develop. As do the options for evaluating the captured eye-tracking data for various medical trials.
In 2008, Prof. Dr. Erich Schneider presented the EyeSeeCam and the head impulse test integrated into the eye-tracking system at a conference on balance disorders. The Danish company Interacoustics AS immediately showed great interest in a medical version of the EyeSeeCam. This provided the impetus for the development of an eye-tracking system that significantly streamlined the diagnosis of vestibular system disorders in patients with vertigo. And with that, the EyeSeeCam vHIT was born.
EYE TRACKING remains a RESEARCH FOCUS
Parallel to EyeSeeCam vHIT, the scientific version of our eye-tracking system evolved: EyeSeeCam Sci. As experts in tracking eye movements in the field of neuroscience, we have specialized in capturing the gaze behavior of test subjects as precisely and quickly as possible.
Drawing on many years of experience in eye-tracking research, we are intimately familiar with the neuro-sciences and their exacting demands in terms of flexibility, precision and tracking speed. With EyeSeeCam Sci, we have developed a system that is perfect for collecting scientific eye-tracking data and that also includes a wide range of quickly analyzable tests.
SCIENCE WITH PERSPECTIVE – THE EYESEETEC COMPANY
Founding the company was a success — because we believe in ourselves and in EyeSeeCam. A while later, we relocated manufacturing of our two eye-tracking systems to Munich. Another success for us and for EyeSeeCam.
We will continue to grow as a team because we are committed to one goal: developing the best possible eye-tracking system for scientific research and diagnostics. That’s our mission, our drive and our pride.
Click here for our Philosophy.
