Aeromedical Research Lab will use eye-tracking tech to support aviator health & safety

Solana Beach, CA: The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) has entered a cooperative R&D agreement with EyeTracking, LLC, a San Diego company that uses eye-tracking technology to objectively measure human performance. The mission of the USAARL is to preserve the health and safety of Army aviation personnel and other Warfighters while optimizing mission effectiveness. That includes developing secure ways to monitor their physiological, psychological, and performance status under operational conditions.

The systems developed by EyeTracking directly support that objective. They monitor eye and pupil movements to track users’ attention and measure cognitive workload and cognitive state. This information, processed using proprietary algorithms, can be used to quantify human performance in real time.

Through this partnership, the USAARL will use EyeTracking’s PilotReady® software to develop real-time systems for monitoring the health and safety of military personnel during missions. The goal is to tailor the software to operational conditions, first in laboratory studies, then flight tests with military aircraft and personnel. 

The project supports Future Vertical Lift, an effort across the U.S. Armed Forces to develop a new generation of military helicopters. It also supports Military Operational Medicine Research Programs in three areas: 1) Trust in Automation, 2) Studies on Workload, and 3) Effects of Hypoxia and Fatigue.

Together, EyeTracking and the USAARL will:

• Develop instrumentation for real-time monitoring of military aviators and other Warfighters during missions
• Generate scientific insights about the physiological and psychological status of Army Warfighters and aircrew
• Create methods for real-time monitoring of operator states, reserve resources, functionality, and competencies

“We are thrilled to partner with the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory to support aviator health and safety and mission effectiveness,” said EyeTracking President James Weatherhead. “Our solutions equip instructors with the data they need to enhance training today, as well as host a range of deep technical capabilities to develop integrated and automated training solutions for the future.”

About EyeTracking, LLC: EyeTracking is based in San Diego and has pioneered the field of applied eye-tracking research for over two decades, transforming scientific advances into practical tools that put people and systems in perfect sync. Whether in an operational setting, a full motion-based simulator, or VR, the goals are the same: better decisions, fewer errors, and a faster path from novice to expert.

Media Contacts
James Weatherhead, President: +1 619.265.1840
jweatherhead@eyetracking.com

Original Press Release can be viewed at Business Wire

Varjo’s mixed and virtual reality headsets are now fully compatible with EyeTracking’s latest training-based software solutions, enabling behavioral insights from immersive training, surgical simulations, and human-machine interface development.

Key Benefits: 

• Virtual reality training is safer and more affordable than a physical simulation environment.
• The rich behavioral insights gained with Varjo’s VR and EyeTracking’s software solutions can accelerate the learning process for professionals across industries.
• Together, Varjo and EyeTracking help learners acquire critical skills quickly, safely, and cost-effectively before they advance into expensive, high-fidelity simulations or high-stakes, real-world contexts.

Translate measurable eye movements into actionable insights

The eyes are the windows to the brain. They don’t just connect people with the complex systems that keep us safe and healthy in the modern world. They also reveal how our mind responds to those systems. This is the key to perfecting both the design of the systems and the training of the people who use them.

For over two decades, the EyeTracking team has been developing tools that translate measurable eye movements and cognitive workload metrics into actionable insights about human behavior. This technology adds value in any context that involves human-machine interaction, from hospitals to military bases, and everywhere in between.

EyeTracking recently launched new training-focused solutions tailored for four such simulation environments: PilotReady^TM, SurgeonReady^TM, DriverReady^TM and SystemReady^TM. These applications help assess human performance accurately, pinpoint distractions and cognitive overload, and reveal how both the operators and the interface can improve.

Now, EyeTracking has made their software compatible with Varjo’s virtual and mixed reality headsets, including the new Varjo XR-3 and VR-3. With Varjo devices and EyeTracking’s solutions, professionals have the ability to gain high-quality human-performance metrics from the most demanding VR/AR/XR simulation scenarios.

Pioneering solutions for VR-based training and performance assessment

With the industry’s highest resolution across the widest field of view, Varjo headsets power true-to-life VR applications and keeps trainees fully immersed and engaged. Trainees can replicate the exact feeling and conditions of real-life scenarios. Varjo headsets also feature built-in eye tracking at 200 Hz.

Combining Varjo’s industrial-grade hardware with EyeTracking’s analytics platform, organizations can now objectively measure the proficiency of personnel as they progress through their VR-based training programs.

“With Varjo headsets, professionals can perform at their highest level in virtual reality, while our systems help trainers get inside the perspective of another human being. Together, we provide the tools to optimize systems and train users to perform proficiently, especially when the stakes are high, and the pressure is on,” James Weatherhead says.

Deliver training and feedback anytime, anywhere

Thanks to the rich data available through Varjo and EyeTracking, instructors can maximize the rate of learning by providing personalized, targeted feedback at exactly the right time. They can also evaluate proficiency with greater confidence, to determine when individuals are ready to move on to riskier, higher-stakes tasks.

“Our software solution reveals precisely when and why trainees struggle or excel—for example, whether they were distracted, overloaded, confused, or focused on the wrong things. This rich information makes the training process both faster and safer,” Weatherhead explains.

EyeTracking’s platform utilizes eye tracking data, such as gaze location and patented pupil dilation metrics, to quantify patterns of attention and cognitive workload in real-time. Instructors can flag behaviors as they happen and debrief learners easily, providing the timely and accurate feedback they need to accelerate their progress.

Furthermore, EyeTracking’s reporting application is fully cloud-based. This enables real-time comparison of individuals or groups, as well as progress tracking over time. Data can be collected at one location and viewed at another, so training and feedback can be delivered anytime, anywhere, for individuals as well as groups.

Combine this with the portability of Varjo’s VR/XR headsets, and companies can train their workforce fully remotely.

“We are thrilled to welcome EyeTracking to our Varjo-ready software ecosystem. Together, our hardware and software tools enable unprecedented training and research opportunities for professionals across industries,” says Geoff Bund, head of business development at Varjo.

Contact EyeTracking today to learn more or email info@eyetracking.com