Tobii’s new I Beam tablet prototype has integrated eye-tracking for hands-free use

Manufacturer Tobii and Japanese wireless carrier NTT Docomo have developed a concept tablet — called I Beam — that features built-in eye-tracking technology. While only a prototype, this is a big step for Tobii, which has been working to produce smaller, integrated eye-tracking systems using funds from a $21 million investment the company received earlier this year. The I Beam was developed in partnership with Fujitsu, and uses the manufacturer’s newest Tobii IS20 integrated eye tracker (pictured above) to allow users to “interact with the tablet hands-free while still retaining complete functionality of the device.” The GM of the company’s German branch told us that the technology won’t be available to consumers for another two to three years — but the I Beam prototype will be on display at CEATEC in Tokyo on October 2nd-6th, and we’ll be sure to check it out.