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EyeTracktive - Eye Tracking for Google Cardboard

An ultra-low-cost eye-tracking insert for Google Cardboard V2! Unleash the power of the eyeballs!

benben
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Millions of people can benefit from VR eye/pupil tracking, but few can afford it. 72% of the world is earning less than $10 a day. We see this a lot while we work on an open-source VR training system for Lazy Eye (www.eyeskills.org). Our little group of makers decided the best way to change this would be to build on the shoulders of giants, and make a module which can be inserted in a standard second-generation Google Cardboard (www.eyetracktive.org). This opens up eye tracking applications with a BOM under $100 (which could go as low as $10) to billions of people around the world.

Watching a persons's eyes can reveal many things, from problems with their visual perception, to an indication of what it is they want to do next, to dangerous levels of tiredness.

eyeskills.org started this project to better understand and work with Lazy Eye using virtual reality. We wanted to reduce the cost of eye tracking by 10X, to make it accessible to the 72% of the world earning less than $10 a day.

Our goal led us to design a solution which works with second generation Google Cardboards, simply replacing its central insert. Simple. Affordable. Ecologically sound.

The core uses nothing more than cardboard, which can be cut by laser, or by hand. Just fold it up and insert it.

In testing, we also found that the design of Google's cardboard was a poor fit for many people's foreheads and noses. It wasn't just uncomfortable, but let in irritating amounts of light.

We think our solution is quite ground-breaking in its simplicity and affordability. Folded Neoprene. Again, to be cut by laser or by hand.

Our approach is to use off the shelf components wherever possible. Our cameras are based on endoscopic cameras which work with android, connected to a usb hub which can then allow an android phone to provide both power and image processing!

These cameras are held in place using custom 3D printed parts, but it's just as possible to use wedges of wood or hot glue - if not as pretty!

Many thanks to careables, be-able and the Hasso-Plattner-Insitut for helping make this happen!

EyeSkillsbrille-schnittmuster.svg

The neoprene/foam cutout to make even Google Cardboard comfortable for any sized head!

svg+xml - 12.63 kB - 04/12/2019 at 11:55

Preview

EyeTracktiveParts.png

A quick look at the parts you print/cut to form the basic unit

Portable Network Graphics (PNG) - 125.37 kB - 04/12/2019 at 11:54

Preview

CardboardCore.scad

The foldable insert which holds everything

scad - 9.42 kB - 04/12/2019 at 11:54

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CameraHolder.scad

A 3D printed camera mount for the guts of small, cheap endoscopic cameras.

scad - 4.16 kB - 04/12/2019 at 11:54

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lensRemovalTool.scad

A tool to help you remove the IR filter from camera modules

scad - 117.00 bytes - 04/12/2019 at 11:54

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View all 7 files

  • 1 × A3 Cardboard
  • 1 × 2g of PLA
  • 2 × 3.5mm endoscopic cameras
  • 1 × nano usb hub
  • 1 × Infra Red LED

  • Design. Prototype. Test. Phase2

    ben05/02/2019 at 08:37 0 comments

    Wouldn't it be fantastic if these headsets could be made by small local factories using less than $400 of equipment to setup?  We're basically already there - all you need is a cheap 3D printer for the camera holders (in our case an Ender 3) and a cheap A3 laser cutter (in this case an Eleksmaker A3 pro).  As it happens, I just got a laser cutter for "in house" prototyping to speed things up.  I assembled it last night, and now it's time to work on simplifying the design to speed up assembly and reduce dependencies on glue.  Perhaps, given the new camera module we've chosen, it might even be possible to get rid of the 3D printed parts entirely!

  • Hello World

    ben04/12/2019 at 12:01 0 comments

    Hi!


    We built the first prototype, but there's more to do.  Right now we're focused on trying to source the best components at the best prices. How far can we drive the price down? That also depends on how many people want to contribute to the first run.  We'll be setting up a mailing list and a CrowdFunding campaign soon. 

    For now, if you want to get involved, just leave a message!

    Ben

View all 2 project logs

  • 1
    Make a comfortable, light blocking mask for the Google Cardboard

    In our testing we found that the standard Google Cardboard design lets in too much light, and is a poor fit for many different shapes of nose and forehead.

    To solve this, we created this optional add-on. Just print out this file as a template for cutting neoprene or foam with a pair of scissors. We do not recommend using a laser cutter as this can be a health-hazard if you select the wrong materials!

    Next, take a simple clip-tie and thread it through the holes as though you were sewing...

    Don't pull it too tight. The tighter you pull it, the more extreme the shape will become...

  • 2
    Fix the mask to the headset...

    Grab a glue-gun and just press the shape into position...

    Great!

  • 3
    Optionally, add some straps to hold it tight...

    If you like, you can glue some extra head straps to hold the headset in place...

    Use whatever straps you can find, that fit your needs/headsize...

View all 8 instructions

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