First came the computer mouse. Then the touchscreen. Now the tech industry is looking for a new human-machine interface—this time, one that will make virtual-reality headsets as mainstream as personal computers and smartphones. The man who invented the LeapPad tablet for kids is betting the killer app is right in front of your face: the eyes.
Jim Marggraff's startup, Eyefluence, has developed technology that knows where people are looking and lets them manipulate objects the way we do now by clicking a mouse or tapping an icon. Besides fostering a more natural and immersive experience, the system is designed to help alleviate the nausea experienced by some VR users and enhance security with iris scans.