Eye Control for Television Is Now a Reality

Comcast, the largest cable TV provider in the US, has launched a new service that allows you to control your television with just your eyes.

Xfinity X1 eye control is a web-based remote for tablets and computers that pairs with an existing eye gaze system and allows viewers to change the channel, set a recording, search for a show and more with a glance.

The service was launched mainly to help people with physical disabilities like spinal cord injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) interact with their TV.

“Changing the channel on a TV is something most of us take for granted but until now, it was a near-impossible task for millions of viewers,” said Tom Wlodkowski, Vice President Accessibility at Comcast. “When you make a product more inclusive you create a better experience for everyone and we’re hoping our new X1 feature makes a real difference in the lives of our customers.”

Comcast is the largest cable TV provider in the nation, therefore this tech could have a significant impact on how a lot of people watch TV.

The company is also planning to eventually integrate eye-tracking technology into its smart home services to allow customers to control their home’s lights, thermostat, or doors using just their eyes.

The eye-control function is available to subscribers of Comcast’s X1 video platform who have an eye-tracking device and a mobile tablet. 

With this technology being so easy to use it’s clear that not only people with disabilities will enjoy this new feature but we could all soon stop looking for the remote.