Can you picture using your eyes to control your phone? Eye-tracking technology in these contact lenses makes that possible.
A new innovation in smart contact lenses promises to integrate eye-tracking technology into everyday devices without the need for expensive hardware or integrated components. Developed by XPANCEO, this technology offers a different approach from current eye-tracking systems, which typically require specialized cameras, infrared sensors, and high power consumption. In contrast, these lenses operate passively, requiring no additional hardware or power.
The system relies on integrating microscopic patterns within the lens that act as optical markers. These patterns generate visual changes when the eye moves, allowing conventional cameras—such as those found in mobile phones or computers—to accurately track the direction of gaze. Furthermore, unlike traditional methods that use infrared light to track eye movement, this solution reduces power consumption and avoids operational issues in bright lighting conditions, such as sunny outdoor environments.
This innovation aims to facilitate the integration of eye-tracking technology into multiple devices without the need for expensive or bulky additional equipment. This could open up new applications in fields such as digital interfaces, augmented reality, and even the automotive industry.
Although this approach is still under development, it aims to make technology accessible to everyone, which has so far been limited by its technical complexity and high cost.
How does this XPANCEO innovation work?
Each lens contains two ultra-precise optical grids separated by a microscopic gap; thus, as the eye rotates, the layers slide past each other, creating changing patterns that the cameras can detect and interpret. Similarly, the tracking element is extremely precise and embedded in a soft material that conforms to lens manufacturing standards.
If successful, XPANCEO's eye-tracking technology could be integrated into everyday devices, allowing users to navigate interfaces simply by looking at the screen instead of touching it. This would enable existing cameras to monitor attention in real time without the need for specialized equipment. However, the project is still in its early research stages, with no timeline or pricing yet announced.