Scientists have introduced innovative smart contact lenses inspired by Mission Impossible 4. Designed for human-machine interaction (HMI), these lenses track eye movements using techniques such as pupil-center corneal reflection and electrooculography (EOG).
A model has eyedrops applied backstage ahead of the Karla Spetic collection show on the third day of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010/11 at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay on May 5, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. RAFW is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, with more than 100 designers. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
MI-Inspired Contact Lenses
Developed by Chinese scientists, this new lens type serves applications in healthcare and augmented reality (AR). Unlike conventional silicon chips, these eye-tracking smart contact lenses utilize radio frequency technology, eliminating the need for batteries while ensuring biocompatibility and imperceptibility.
They emphasize that contact lenses represent the pinnacle of augmented reality (AR), envisioning a future where the virtual and real worlds merge seamlessly through this technology.
According to Prof. Fei Xu, a research co-author, the concept of smart contact lenses, depicted in Mission Impossible 4 and featuring facial recognition capabilities, underscores the potential for AR advancement.
He asserts that if miniaturized contact lenses seamlessly blend virtual and real environments, it would signify the zenith of AR technology. Additionally, he highlights eye-tracking-based human-computer interaction as a critical element in this technological evolution.
Advancements in Eye-Tracking Technology
The research team's techniques have shown promising initial results, although they currently lack precision. Additionally, electrooculography (EOG) presents a potential risk to the skin due to its reliance on skin electrodes for data collection.
Detailed in the pages of Nature Communications, the study introduces innovative eye-tracking methods designed to facilitate highly efficient and natural human-machine interaction by accurately detecting users' eye movements and interpreting their focus and intentions.
The research proposes the development of a miniature, undetectable, and biocompatible smart contact lens capable of on-the-spot eye tracking and wireless interaction with machines.
The lens, which operates without chips or batteries, successfully tracks eye movements and blinks by employing a frequency encoding approach.
Utilizing a time-sequential eye tracking algorithm, the lens demonstrates remarkable angular accuracy of less than 0.5°, surpassing even the visual acuity of the central fovea, the region of highest cone density in the retina.
Scientists developed smart contact lenses using a frequency-encoding technique. This method encodes information about eye movements into radio frequency signals. Researchers achieved precise eye movement tracking without conventional silicon chips or batteries.
Consequently, the lenses became lighter, more compact, and safer while maintaining biocompatibility. They also safeguard the iris and other biometric data, eliminating any risk of leakage.
Researchers have confirmed the lenses' exceptional stability, affirming their suitability for up to 12-hour wear in various environmental conditions while retaining their ability to detect eye closure.
With their remarkable angular precision, these lenses facilitate accurate eye command recognition, enabling their application in various human-machine interaction scenarios. Moreover, they can detect gaze directions and real-time focal points, offering potential benefits for robot control.
