SensoMotoric Claims 3D Eye Tracking 'First'

Computer vision technology developer SensoMotoric Instruments (SMI) has introduced what it describes as the first 3D glasses with full eye tracking capabilities, for use in user experience studies and analysis of real-time gaze interaction in virtual environments.

SMI was founded by Dr Winfried Teiwes and his academic mentors in 1991 as a spin-off from academic and medical research at FU Berlin, and now serves customers around the globe from offices in Teltow, near Berlin, Germany; and Boston, USA.

SMI's new system uses its existing eye tracking glasses enhanced with ActiveEye technology designed by 3D solutions specialist Volfoni. This adds two small cameras to the rims, while a scene camera also records the field of view of the user. The technology can also measure the eyes' vergence (see www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vergence ) in order to detect the eye distance of the wearer.

In addition, the glasses can be complemented with real-time '6D' head and motion tracking support from optical tracking firm Advanced Realtime Tracking (ART).

SMI says the new glasses provide completely new insights into a user's interaction while, for example, navigating through virtual urban spaces, or looking at 3D product designs. Director of Sales & Marketing Ingmar Gutberlet comments: 'This trend-setting development achieved in close collaboration with our partners will help to advance user experience testing in virtual spaces prior to realization of cost-intensive projects.'

Web sites: www.smivision.com , www.volfoni.com and www.ar-tracking.com .