Eye-tracking technology has a number of benefits for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), allowing for a range of improvements to immersive experiences. As demand for the technology rises, Qualcomm are poised to meet it thanks to its collaboration with Tobii.
Tobii and Qualcomm have partnered in order to create a full reference design and development kit for the Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile VR platform, which integrates Tobii’s EyeCore eye-tracking hardware and algorithms.
Eye-tracking can be used to benefit VR and AR in a variety of ways. This includes techniques such as foveated rendering, which allows for processing power to be focussed on the area the user is currently looking at, with graphics out of their field of view rendered in lower quality, thus saving on power and increasing efficiency.
The technology also allows for better hand-eye coordination within the VR world, creating more natural interactions, and can be used to allow for users to make eye-contact with other virtual avatars, facilitating an important part of human interaction.
“Increased interest in the untethered, mobile VR segment, in conjunction with Qualcomm’s innovation and technology leadership in this space, further strengthens our excitement about the potential of this market opportunity for Tobii eye tracking,” said Oscar Werner, president of Tobii Tech. “At its core, eye tracking fundamentally enables hardware manufacturers to build smarter and more capable devices with greater mobility, that in turn deliver truly immersive and natural experiences to delight users.”
“Qualcomm is focused on transforming the way that people use mobile technologies for entertainment and productivity,” said Hiren Bhinde, director of Product Management, XR Technologies, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “We added support for Tobii’s eye tracking solution to our new Snapdragon 845 VR development kits to help developers create new experiences using a higher quality of gaze interaction that we think will ultimately provide consumers with more intuitive, visually immersive experiences.”
Further developments on eye-tracking in VR and AR will be reported on here at VRFocus.
via Mint VR