There has been speculation that Facebook has purchased eye tracking technology. Facebook's VR company Oculus has put the rumors to rest. They have confirmed to have purchased The Eye Tribe.
Eye Tribe. The Eye Tribe is a Danish start-up company. It specializes in eye tracking technology.
The Eye Tribe started in 2011. Its aim is to develop consumer-oriented and affordable eye-tracking technology. The company has already produced an API (application program interface) that lets software developers incorporate eye tracking into their applications. They also have an Eye Tribe Tracker Pro for $199.
There are two ways to use eye tracking technology - an active case and a passive case. Active eye tracking utilizes the user's eyes as an input device that controls digital platform. Passive eye tracking can record where a person looks and how long they have been looking at that specific location.
Details about the acquisition and Facebook's plans with their technology are currently unavailable. However, eye tracking technology can be very useful for virtual reality. In particular, Facebook's Oculus can make good use of this technology.
Oculus. Oculus has purchased a series of tech start-ups this year. Facebook is particularly interested in The Eye Tribe's technology in order for Oculus to take the lead in social interactions in VR. Eye tracking technology has the potential to bring rapid changes in VR. The ability to follow eye movement makes it easier for Oculus to record eye pattern behaviors. This will allow them to better understand people's expressions and let them communicate more effectively with one another in a virtual community.
Companies can already listen to what goes on in homes with always-on devices like Google's Home, Microsoft's Kindle, and Amazon's Echo. Eye tracking technology and devices will allow them to see what the user is looking at as well.
Facebook is not alone in their move to purchase eye tracking technology. Alphabet Inc.'s Google recently purchased Eyefluence in October. Eyefluence is another start-up which works with eye tracking technology.
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