The VIVA project aims to develop a novel eye-tracking system for all-day wearable smartglasses. Current smartglasses face limitations in visual interaction, hindering their use in situations requiring full visual attention. Existing eye-tracking technologies, primarily camera-based, suffer from drawbacks like high power consumption, large size, and privacy concerns, making them unsuitable for all-day wearables. VIVA addresses these limitations by utilizing Laser Feedback Interferometry (LFI), a disruptive optical sensing principle. LFI offers significant advantages in power consumption, size, and robustness against varying light conditions, enabling integration into lightweight, aesthetically pleasing smartglasses.
The project's objectives include developing an eye-tracking system with a small form factor (<3x3x3mm³), low weight (<0.2g) low power consumption (<50mW), high sampling rate (>1kHz), and robustness against lighting conditions and slippage. This technology is expected to revolutionize the smartglasses market by enabling hands-free interaction and opening up new application fields in consumer, professional, and healthcare domains. The project addresses key focus areas of the KDT JU Annual Work Plan 2023 and KDT SRIA 2023, including components, modules and system integration; digital society; and health and well-being.
The expected impact of VIVA includes enabling the first all-day wearable smartglasses with eye-tracking, improving user experience and safety, extending independent living for the elderly, and enabling new health applications like automatic correction of presbyopia. By addressing the limitations of current technologies, VIVA is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of the smartglasses and eye-tracking markets, strengthening the EU's position in the competitive technology landscape. The project plans to maximize impact through dissemination in scientific forums, engagement with industrial stakeholders, public outreach, and targeted communication with policymakers. Exploitation plans focus on both individual partner strategies and joint exploitation of commercially viable results. Overall, VIVA aims to drive innovation and market acceptance of this transformative technology, paving the way for widespread adoption and positive societal impact.
