Inha: Camera-Free Gaze Tracking via AI

A research team led by Professor Kang Ji-hoon from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Inha University has developed a neuromorphic semiconductor-based interface technology capable of reading gaze intention in real time without optical devices.

Professor Kang Ji-hoon’s team achieved this outcome through international collaborative research with Jeonju University, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Virginia.

Gaze tracking is a key technology for extended reality (XR) and mobile healthcare. However, existing technologies face limits in wearable environments due to bulky optical devices and high power consumption. To address these issues, the team utilized a thin sensor attached to the skin that detects subtle electrical signals from eye movements, which AI then analyzes in real time.

By applying neuromorphic semiconductors that mimic the human brain, the team increased processing speed while significantly reducing power consumption. The system also performs computations directly on the device, enhancing personal data protection. This camera-free technology reduces the wearing burden and is expected to be applied in XR devices, assistive devices for people with disabilities, and mobile healthcare.

This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). The joint study, involving teams from Jeonju University, KIST, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Virginia, was published in the latest online issue of ACS Nano, a prestigious journal published by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Professor Kang Ji-hoon stated, “This research presents new possibilities for wearable AI interfaces and will serve as an important foundation for the advancement of human–computer interaction.”