Near Infra-Red Cameras for Eye-Tracking

1. Can I use a webcam as a eye tracker?
2. How does IR eye-tracking work?
3. Can eye-tracking be done remotely?
4. How accurate is webcam eye-tracking?

Can I use a webcam as a eye tracker?

Control mouse cursor position with your eyes via webcam.

GazePointer is a Webcam eye tracker software that lets you move mouse cursor using your eyes. You don't have to install any kind of costly retina scanning hardware or complex hardware system. All you need is GazePointer Webcam eye tracker software and a webcam.

How does IR eye-tracking work?

A source of invisible near-infrared or infrared light illuminates the pupil. Thus, a reflection generates on the cornea. An infrared camera will then record that reflection, delimit the center of the pupil, deduce eye rotation, and determine gaze direction.

Can eye-tracking be done remotely?

Remote eye-tracking is well-suited for measuring gaze behaviour of participants looking at a screen (either computer, television, projection, tablet, etc.). For this type of eye-tracking participants do not have to wear a pair of glasses.

How accurate is webcam eye-tracking?

Webcam eye tracking has much lower accuracy than real eye trackers. While a typical remote eye tracker (e.g., Tobii T60) has accuracy of 0.5 degrees of visual angle, a webcam will produce accuracy of 2 - 5 degrees, provided that the participant is NOT MOVING.