​Eye tracking on a smartwatch? There’s a prototype for that

An EyeTribe hardware kit for testing, using a Sony smartwatch.
Sarah Tew/CNET

BARCELONA — How many more surprises will wearable tech spring on us? Maybe eye tracking for one. The EyeTribe, a company that already makes a $99 eye-tracking device for tablets and PCs, is working on one for smartwatches, too.

EyeTribe CEO Sune Alstrup showed me a development prototype of the exposed hardware on an elastic band, modded to work off a Sony SmartWatch . The idea, thus far, is to test the possibilities of a speed-reading app, Spritz, which throws one big word at a time for quick reads on small displays. Look away, and the text flow stops. Look up or down, and text flow speeds up or slows down.

The Eye Tribe shows you the future of eye tracking (pictures)

eyetribe-01.jpgeyetribe-01.jpg

eyetribe-01.jpgeyetribe-01.jpg

eyetribe-01.jpgeyetribe-01.jpg

+4 more


See all photos

The watch hardware was a non-working prototype, but I tried Spritz on a PC using EyeTribe hardware, and it worked as advertised. Why on a smartwatch? Alstrup explained that it could help manage applications on small screens, or even help save battery life: paired with an accelerometer, the eye-tracking hardware could activate, then only turn on the display when your eyes were specifically on it.

Another hardware trick for smartwatches? Sure, why not. It’s early days for wearables.

A look at The EyeTribe’s demo software, running a larger PC eye-tracking peripheral.
Sarah Tew/CNET

Check Also

8 New Google Products We Expect to See This Year

Google’s device line could end up having a particularly important moment in 2023. The company usually announces new Pixel products throughout the year. Google is expected to release its first foldable phone this year, however, which would directly compete with Samsung’s proven line of Galaxy Z Fold devices. Google also introduced its own ChatGPT rival, …

Leave a Reply