Open-source gaze tracker awarded Research Pearls of ITU Copenhagen

The open-source eye tracker ITU Gaze Tracker primarily developed by Javier San Augustin, Henrik Skovsgaard and myself has been awarded the Research Pearls of the IT University of Copenhagen. A presentation will be held at ITU on May 6th at 2pm. The software released one year ago have seen more than 5000 downloads by students and hobbyist around the world. It's rapidly approaching a new release which will offer better performance and stability for remote tracking and many bug fixes in general. The new version adds support for a whole range of new HD web cameras. These provides a vastly improved image quality that finally brings hope for a low-cost, open, flexible and reasonably performing solution. The ambitious goal strives to make eye tracking technology available for everyone, regardless of available resources. Follow the developments at the forum. Additional information is available at the ITU Gaze Group.

"The Open-Source ITU Gaze Tracker"

Abstract:
Gaze tracking offers them the possibility of interacting with a computer by just using eye movements, thereby making users more independent. However, some people (for example users with a severe disability) are excluded from access to gaze interaction due to the high prices of commercial systems (above 10.000€). Gaze tracking systems built from low-cost and off-the-shelf components have the potential of facilitating access to the technology and bring prices down.

The ITU Gaze Tracker is an off-the-shelf system that uses an inexpensive web cam or a video camera to track the user’s eye. It is free and open-source, offering users the possibility of trying out gaze interaction technology for a cost as low as 20€, and to adapt and extend the software to suit specific needs.

In this talk we will present the open-source ITU Gaze Tracker and show the different scenarios in which the system has been used and evaluated.