Autonomous human-computer interaction systems are attracting increasing attention due to their continuous, sensitive, and stable performance, fueled by the rapid development of artificial intelligence ( AI ).
As reported in this month's journal Cell Reports Physical Science , the system uses a nanogenerator called a TENG to detect the micro-frictions that occur between the eyelid and the eyeball during blinking. The collected energy powers the sensor, eliminating the need for an external battery.
The device, called ET-TENG, was developed by teams from Qingdao University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and is capable of detecting subtle eye movements with high precision.
The device has been shown to identify eyeball deflection angles of at least 2 degrees with 99 percent accuracy. It can also function in complete darkness, overcoming the limitations of traditional camera-based eye trackers that rely on external light sources.
The technology could allow individuals with conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), who can still move their eyes, to operate a computer or wheelchair, the study said.
In addition to medical assistance, the team said the system could be applied in space exploration for hands -free control panels , in smart vehicles for driver fatigue monitoring, and in making virtual reality ( VR ) headsets lighter and more energy-efficient.
The high sensitivity, simple structure, and strong anti-interference ability of this device provide technical support to promote its application in the field of human-computer interaction, the researchers said.
