Eye and hand-tracking trends have evolved rapidly in recent years. As the XR market accelerates towards a value of approximately $354.09 billion by 2023 and adoption increases, intuitive interfaces are becoming essential. With the right technologies, companies can improve how teams interact with immersive content, eliminating the need for controllers.
Eye and hand-tracking solutions use spatial computing concepts to make interacting with computer systems more natural and intuitive. As the technology we use to traverse the digital environment grows more advanced, these complementary solutions are evolving too.
Today, we’re examining some of the most significant trends influencing the market for hand and eye-tracking technologies in the XR world.
1. User Friendliness Takes Center Stage
One of the main reasons companies invest in hand and eye tracking solutions for XR is to improve the user experience. Controlling an interface with gestures and eye movements is far more convenient than using a set of clunky controllers.
This focus on user experience leads to more creators building devices and tools that leverage spatial computing technology. According to one report, by 2022, 7 out of 15 new VR devices introduced to the marketplace featured hand-tracking solutions.
Innovators like Apple are demonstrating the need for new spatial computing ecosystems in the XR marketplace, and other vendors are following suit. The chances are we’ll soon see in XR space where controllers become obsolete, paving the way for more robust experiences.
2. Eye and Hand Tracking Trends Influence Avatars
The rise of the metaverse has prompted an increase in people creating and nurturing their “virtual identities” in the digital world. People want to represent themselves effectively in the metaverse and metawork environments.
This means modern avatars need to be able to replicate the gestures, movements, and even facial expressions of the people using them. Tracking tools, capable of monitoring facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact, can help create more powerful virtual avatars.
This will become increasingly essential as the world of remote and hybrid work grows. Teams will rely on virtual avatars to help them connect more effectively with their colleagues in immersive spaces.
3. Advanced AI Enhances Tracking Technologies
Artificial intelligence and extended reality often go hand-in-hand. In the world of eye and hand tracking trends, advancements in AI are paving the way to more robust data analysis and better user experiences on a massive scale.
With artificial intelligence, companies using XR headsets can automatically collect valuable data from users in real time. They can monitor everything from gaze direction to teams’ performance in training environments, providing valuable insights.
Additionally, AI solutions can help to improve user experiences in other ways. With AI-enhanced foveated rendering, for instance, devices can focus on rendering the content most relevant to the use based on their gaze. This reduces the pressure on computing resources and minimizes issues like latency and lag in virtual environments.
4. Improved Connectivity Influences Eye and Hand Tracking Trends
Just as complementary technologies like AI are influencing the evolution of XR space, innovations in connectivity are also boosting immersive experiences. Many of the most advanced tools leveraging hand and eye tracking technologies require significant computing power.
This has previously limited access to innovative XR solutions to companies with the biggest budgets and the most technical resources. However, the rise of edge computing and 5G connectivity is beginning to change all this. Companies like Varjo have introduced new dedicated cloud environments, making it easier for companies to create immersive experiences.
Streaming solutions in XR provide access to unique servers that allow companies to combine XR applications, AI, and more. With 5G connectivity, users can even leverage high-quality XR experiences on the move.
5. New Use Cases Continue to Emerge
Most companies’ biggest reason to invest in eye and hand-tracking trends is to improve user experience. However, new use cases are emerging as innovations in this landscape continue. Companies are leveraging eye-tracking solutions for security, combining biometric scanning with wearables to secure the metaverse.
Assistive communication tools are also becoming more common. Gaze interaction technologies are now emerging to improve the lives of people with disabilities. These solutions allow people with disabilities to control and navigate a computer system with nothing but their eyes.
Moreover, companies in various sectors leverage eye and hand-tracking technologies to improve productivity and efficiency. These tools are being used to enhance muscle memory and knowledge retention during training. They can also allow users to access hands-free guidance and resources when working in a complex environment.
6. Eye and Hand Tracking Trends Make Tech More Accessible
Regarding accessibility, vendors are quickly democratizing the presence of eye and hand-tracking technologies in the modern world. In the past, investing in the latest sensor ecosystems for these solutions was often complex and expensive. Many vendors are building solutions directly into headsets and wearables, reducing the need for accessories.
Some vendors like Nreal offer access to SDKs, allowing developers to embed tracking technologies into their existing tools with minimal effort. These innovations, combined with an increase in more cost-effective and ergonomic devices, boost adoption rates.
Today’s XR vendors allow companies to rapidly access intuitive tools which offer excellent user experience and functionality. Many solutions can be easily integrated with the tools companies use daily, like Microsoft Teams or CAD technology.
The Latest Eye and Hand Tracking Trends
Innovations in the XR world make immersion more accessible and powerful for everyone. The latest eye and hand-tracking trends show a growing focus on user accessibility, comfort, and innovation. As the metaverse evolves, these tools for improving XR user interfaces will continue to grow.
In the future, we’re likely to see fewer clunky controllers.
