Honor launches AI eye-tracking feature that lets you control your smartphone simply by looking at the screen

Smartphone users could soon use their eyes instead of their fingers to control the device.

A new AI eye-tracking feature introduced by Chinese phone giant Honor can detect exactly where you’re looking on the screen.

Able to distinguish between a quick glance and an intentional glance, the phone will perform the action without needing to touch it.

The company has revealed that the technology, called ‘Magic Capsule’, will be available ‘soon’ in its new Magic 6 Pro.

While tech companies are increasingly looking for new ways for users to control their devices, from voice commands to hand gestures, Honor claims to be the first to do it with people’s eyes.

MagicOS is an Android-derived mobile operating system developed by Chinese technology company Honor.

Eye tracking technology works by monitoring where the user is looking through the device’s camera.

It has been used in industries such as market research and advertising for several years to help determine exactly the best way to engage users.

But until now there have been big obstacles to its use outside of controlled environments, particularly the complexity of the AI ​​required.

However, Honor says its new Magic Capsule technology can not only monitor the user’s gaze but also “identify intent.”

Users must first calibrate their gaze, similar to setting up their fingerprint, by looking at various points on the screen.

Once set up, the AI ​​can detect where the person is looking from a distance of between 20 and 50 cm.

To show “intent,” the user must continue looking at the location for 1.8 seconds.

In a demo at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, ​​the company showed how users can answer or reject a call, open text messages or turn off a timer with a quick glance at the screen.

Eye tracking technology works by monitoring where the user is looking through the device’s camera.

Demonstrating the possibilities that smartphone eye tracking can unlock in the future, Honor said it is possible to control a car hands-free through the Magic6 Pro’s AI-powered eye tracking system.

Industry expert Paolo Pescatore said: “It’s good to see this technology being included in other categories, such as smartphones.” For now, it seems like a gimmick as a means of gaining attention.

‘All Asian vendors are frantically trying to differentiate their devices from those of their rivals with eye-catching features.

‘This cleverly designed feature should help you stand out in a crowded market. It will also help attract people who are loyal to other premium players like Apple and Samsung to the brand.

‘This is an area where you will see a lot of innovation to improve the user experience through gestures, eyes and movements!’