Blinking May Soon Power Assistive Technology for Patients With Paralysis- Researchers in China have unveiled a novel eye-tracking technology that generates its own power from the simple act of blinking, opening new possibilities for assistive devices aimed at people with severe mobility impairments.
The system, recently detailed in Cell Reports Physical Science, is designed to enable hands-free control of external devices—such as computers or wheelchairs—by translating eye movements into commands without relying on batteries or external power sources. Instead, it harvests energy directly from the natural friction produced when the eyelid moves across the eyeball.
At the core of the innovation is a triboelectric nanogenerator, or TENG, a type of energy-harvesting device that converts mechanical motion into electrical signals. In this case, the nanogenerator captures the tiny amounts of mechanical energy generated during blinking and eye movement, using it to power the eye-tracking sensor itself. The result is a fully self-powered system, reducing both maintenance requirements and device weight.
The eye-tracking platform, known as ET-TENG, was developed by research teams from Qingdao University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. According to the study, the device can detect extremely subtle eye movements with high accuracy, identifying eyeball deflection angles as small as two degrees with a reported accuracy rate of 99 percent. This level of sensitivity is critical for users who may have limited or fatigued eye motion.
Unlike conventional eye-tracking systems that rely on cameras, infrared light, or external illumination, ET-TENG operates independently of lighting conditions. The device remains functional in complete darkness, addressing a major limitation of camera-based trackers and making it more reliable across different environments and use cases.
The researchers highlighted the system’s potential impact on assistive technology, particularly for individuals with neurological conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Many people with ALS lose voluntary muscle control while retaining the ability to move their eyes. A self-powered, highly sensitive eye-tracking interface could provide a practical and durable way for these individuals to communicate or navigate their surroundings using minimal physical effort.
Beyond healthcare, the team sees broader applications for the technology in emerging human-computer interaction scenarios. In space exploration, the system could enable astronauts to interact with control panels hands-free, reducing physical strain in microgravity environments. In smart vehicles, it could be used to monitor driver alertness or fatigue in real time without adding significant power consumption. The researchers also pointed to virtual and augmented reality systems, where lightweight, low-energy eye tracking could improve comfort and extend device battery life.
The growing interest in self-powered human-computer interaction systems reflects a wider shift in technology development, driven by advances in artificial intelligence and sensor miniaturization. As AI systems become more capable, the demand for input methods that are continuous, precise, and energy-efficient is increasing. Self-powered sensors like ET-TENG offer a way to meet those demands without adding complexity or maintenance burdens.
According to the research team, the system’s simple structure, high sensitivity, and resistance to external interference make it well suited for real-world deployment. While further testing and refinement will be required before commercial adoption, the work demonstrates how energy harvesting and human-machine interfaces can converge to create more accessible, sustainable technologies.
Taken together, the study points to a future where human-computer interaction relies less on keyboards, touchscreens, and batteries—and more on natural human movements themselves.
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