Jakarta, INTI - A team of researchers in China has successfully developed a self-powered eye- tracking system that harnesses energy generated from eye blinks, offering an assistive technology solution for individuals with paralysis.
ET-TENG, a Battery-Free Eye Tracker for Human-Computer Interaction
Known as ET-TENG, the battery-free eye-tracking system is designed to enable paralyzed users to interact with and control devices, such as wheelchairs, solely through eye movements.
The technology was developed by researchers from Qingdao University and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
The device utilizes a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that captures microscopic friction between the eyelids and the eyeball during blinking and converts it into electrical energy.
This generated energy powers the eye-tracking sensors, eliminating the need for external batteries and enabling fully self, sustained human, computer interaction.
The researchers stated that ET-TENG is capable of detecting subtle eye movements with high precision, including identifying eyeball deflection angles as small as 2 degrees, achieving an accuracy rate of up to 99 percent.
Moreover, the device remains fully operational in complete darkness, an advantage not found in camera-based eye-tracking systems, which rely heavily on adequate lighting conditions.
Medical Applications and Future Technologies
The technology is regarded as a potential breakthrough in the development of human-computer interaction assistive devices, particularly for patients with conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), enabling them to operate computers and wheelchairs more easily.
Beyond medical applications, ET-TENG also demonstrates broad potential across various sectors, ranging from hands free control systems for space exploration and driver fatigue monitoring in smart vehicles, to integration into lighter, more energy efficient VR headset devices.
The researchers emphasized that the system features high sensitivity, a simple structural design, and strong resistance to interference, making it suitable for diverse real world applications.
Collectively, these features position ET-TENG as a promising technical foundation for advancing more sophisticated and inclusive human–computer interaction systems, particularly in assistive technology applications that prioritize accessibility and energy efficiency.
Conclusion
Overall, the innovation highlights the growing potential of self-powered, non-invasive interfaces to reshape the future of human-computer interaction, enabling broader adoption of intelligent technologies that are more sustainable, inclusive, and user-centered.
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