As part of the Game Developers Conference (GDC 2019 this week, eye tracking specialist Tobii has announced a new software development kit (SDK) for XR applications.
The Tobii XR SDK features a number of tools and resources for developers to use, enabling them to design immersive interactions that take advantage of head-mounted displays (HMD) with built-in eye tracking technology. Features include Tobii Intelligent Objects which allow users to select items intuitively using machine learning and algorithms to map eye tracking signals to objects in a scene.
Or how about improving user interfaces so that navigation can become smoother and faster, with streamlined menus and unnecessary UI elements hidden when the user is looking elsewhere. Another use for videogame makers or social VR app creators is that eye to eye social contact, either with an NPC or chatting with someone on the other side of the world. Humans naturally respond to eye movement during a conversation, making for a more natural response.
“GDC is all about developers, so this year we wanted to provide the developer community with the most advanced and easy to implement set of APIs, guides, code samples, and tutorials that have ever existed for eye tracking integration,” said Henrik Eskilsson, CEO Tobii in a statement. “With the launch of these new SDKs, development tools and resources, it is now easier than ever before for developers to take advantage of eye tracking technology to create extraordinary experiences for users.”
“Eye tracking is quickly becoming a required standard in XR devices. Tobii is the leading supplier of eye tracking technology and the most experienced company in the eye tracking ecosystem,” Eskilsson adds. “We are bringing all of that knowledge to these new development tools and giving application developers a powerful advantage for creating extraordinary eye tracking interactions.”
In addition to new libraries and APIs for XR interactions, Tobii is making code samples, videos, tutorials and debugging tools available for XR development, along with packages and assets for Unity with Unreal support coming soon. For further updates from Tobii, keep reading VRFocus.