Apple has announced a groundbreaking new feature called Eye Tracking, which will allow iPad and iPhone users to control their devices with just a glance of their eyes. This AI-powered feature is specifically designed for individuals with physical disabilities and is set to be released later this year.
The Eye Tracking feature utilizes the front-facing camera for setup and calibration, with Apple emphasizing that no data is accessed or shared during this process. Users will be able to navigate their devices using Dwell Control, which tracks eye movements to interact with various controls, physical buttons, swipes, and gestures.
Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, highlighted the company's commitment to inclusive design, stating, 'For nearly 40 years, Apple has championed inclusive design by embedding accessibility at the core of our hardware and software.'
Eye Tracking will be integrated into iOS and iPadOS without the need for additional hardware, making it easily accessible to all users. This announcement comes as part of a series of updates introduced by Apple ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
In addition to Eye Tracking, Apple unveiled Music Haptics, a feature that enhances the music experience for deaf or hard-of-hearing users by incorporating taps and vibrations along with audio. The company also introduced features tailored for individuals with speech conditions, such as Vocal Shortcuts for launching Siri commands with custom phrases and Listen for Atypical Speech to recognize a wider range of speech patterns.
Furthermore, Apple introduced a feature called Vehicle Motion Cues, which aims to alleviate motion sickness for travelers. By displaying moving black dots on the device screen to indicate the direction of vehicle movement, this feature helps reduce sensory conflicts between visual and physical sensations.
