Google acquires eye-tracking firm for virtual reality plans

SAN FRANCISCO — Google has picked up a key piece of technology that might move its virtual reality ambitions closer to the masses.

Eyefluence, which is working to enable eye movements to control digital screens, wrote in a blog post on Monday that it is joining the search giant and its parent company, Alphabet. The three-year-old start-up, which had reportedly raised US$21.6 million (S$30 million) in funding, did not disclose a price. Google confirmed the deal with Eyefluence in a statement.

“In early 2013, our journey began with a mission to transform intent into action through your eyes. We recognised an opportunity to create a more natural, intuitive way to interact with augmented and virtual reality displays,” Eyefluence said in a blog post.

“Today, we are excited to announce that the Eyefluence team is joining Google! With our forces combined, we will continue to advance eye-interaction technology to expand human potential and empathy on an even larger scale. We look forward to the life-changing innovations we’ll create together!”

Mr Jim Marggraff, the creator of the pioneering LeapPad tablet computer, started Eyefluence after buying up assets from neurological research firm Eye-Com. He pledged that the start-up would allow people to manipulate objects and digital screens with their eye movements.

Functional eye-tracking is a desired feature in virtual reality and augmented reality, which lets digital images interact with the physical world. Eye-tracking tech would curb some of the latency and accessibility issues that keep the nascent media to a niche fan base.

Google has invested heavily in virtual reality, launching tailored software and introducing its own mobile headset earlier this month. Google’s Daydream View, which works with an Android phone, is cheaper than other options in the market. At US$79, the price is well below products from HTC and Facebook’s Oculus, which cost hundreds of dollars. Google has also invested directly in Magic Leap, a start-up that is also purportedly working on eye interaction technology. AGENCIES