News release

From: Cell Press

This self-powered eye tracker harnesses energy from blinking and is as comfortable as everyday glasses

Assistive devices that enable those who can no longer move their bodies to control wheelchairs or communicate by moving only their eyes function by using eye-tracking technologies, but these technologies often have limitations due to their size and weight. Reporting in the Cell Press journal Cell Reports Physical Science on January 7, researchers developed a lightweight, self-powered eye-tracking system that runs off the energy generated through the friction between the eyelids and eyes while blinking.

“We’ve developed a self-powered eye-tracking system that harvests energy from blinking and can be used to detect eye movements with high precision,” says Yun-Ze Long of Qingdao University in Qingdao, China. “The system works in the dark, requires no external power source, and is as lightweight and comfortable as everyday glasses and contact lenses.”

The researchers sought to improve upon current eye-tracking technologies, which are bulky, rely on external power, can’t function in low light, and can cause eye strain with prolonged use. Their goal was to create a more sustainable, wearable, and user-friendly alternative to assist people with mobility impairments such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

To do so, they created a system based on the principles of triboelectric nanogenerators, which rely on electrification and electrostatic induction to convert mechanical energy into electric power and can harvest energy from low-frequency sources such as blinking. Their system not only harvests enough energy to power itself but also detects eye movements as small as 2 degrees with 99% precision.

“We were particularly surprised by how well the friction layer retained its charge in a biological setting on a rabbit’s eye,” says Long. “We were also impressed by the system’s ability to maintain high accuracy even in noisy electromagnetic environments.”

The findings show that it’s possible to harvest energy from subtle body movements, say the researchers. They envision a future in which similar technology is incorporated not only in healthcare and virtual reality applications but also in other arenas, such as smart driving and space exploration, for which hands-free operation is essential.

“Our system turns something as simple as a blink into a source of power and control,” Long says. “It’s designed to be lightweight, comfortable, and helpful—especially for those who rely on eye movements to communicate or interact with the world. It’s an example of how technology can empower people and make daily life more accessible.”