Fove
Virtual reality headset From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
FOVE Inc. is a Japanese technology company that develops and provides virtual reality (VR) headsets equipped with eye tracking capabilities. By combining VR display technologies with real-time eye movement tracking, FOVE enables a variety of applications in healthcare, cognitive assessment, rehabilitation, education, and research. The company’s hardware and software solutions are used by medical institutions and academic organizations both in Japan and internationally.
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Virtual reality, Eye tracking |
| Founded | May 2014 |
| Founders | Yuka Kojima, Lochlainn Wilson |
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan |
Key people | Shintaro Karaki (CEO) |
| Products | FOVE 0, FOVE VR Platform |
| Website | fove-inc |
Overview
FOVE specializes in the development of head-mounted displays (HMDs) with integrated eye tracking systems. The devices capture real-time eye movement and gaze data, enabling the analysis of attention, cognition, and visual behavior. FOVE’s technology has been applied in various domains, including early screening for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), concussion assessment, neurological and ophthalmological evaluations, and user interface research.
The company’s solutions are used in hospitals, universities, and specialized clinics, particularly in Japan, and have also been adopted in international collaborative research projects.
Name origin
The company’s name, "FOVE", is derived from the Latin word fovea, referring to the fovea centralis, a small pit in the retina where visual acuity is highest. The name reflects the company’s focus on technologies related to the human eye and visual perception. According to the company, the inclusion of “LOVE” within the name also symbolizes a desire to contribute to society through innovations in eye-tracking technology.
History
FOVE Inc. was founded in May 2014 by Yuka Kojima and Lochlainn Wilson in Tokyo, Japan. The company began developing a virtual reality headset with integrated eye tracking technology, aiming to provide more immersive and interactive VR experiences.
In May 2015, the FOVE headset was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's first eye-tracking virtual reality headset.[1]
In November 2016, FOVE began shipping its first product, the "FOVE 0", targeting developers and researchers.
In February 2021, Shintaro Karaki was appointed as CEO.
In December 2022, FOVE entered into a capital and business alliance with Towa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and launched cognitive function assessment services using VR-based eye tracking.
Products
FOVE 0
The FOVE 0 is the company’s first commercial VR headset, released in November 2016. It was the first VR device to incorporate real-time eye tracking technology, allowing for gaze-based interaction and analytics. The headset features a 2560×1440 resolution display, a field of view of approximately 100 degrees, and support for 6 degrees of freedom (6DoF) head tracking via an external tracking system. It is compatible with both Unity and Unreal Engine development environments through the FOVE SDK.
FOVE VR Platform
The FOVE VR Platform is a software environment required to run VR applications on the FOVE 0 headset. It supports both free and paid plans, which differ in the level of access to eye movement data and analytics. The platform enables application developers to obtain detailed eye tracking data, including gaze coordinates, blink events, and pupil diameter, depending on the license level. It is designed for use in clinical, educational, and research contexts.[2]
Technology
Eye Tracking
FOVE's VR headsets incorporate infrared-based binocular eye tracking, enabling real-time monitoring of gaze direction, fixation points, blinks, and pupil dilation. The tracking system provides sub-degree accuracy and low-latency performance, making it suitable for precise cognitive assessments and research applications. Eye movement data can be exported or processed in real time for further analysis.
Head Tracking
The FOVE 0 supports six degrees of freedom (6DoF) head tracking by combining an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an external tracking camera. This allows for natural head movement within the virtual environment and synchronization with gaze behavior.
Software Development Kit (SDK)
FOVE provides a proprietary SDK compatible with Unity and Unreal Engine. The SDK allows developers to access real-time eye tracking data, control gaze-based interactions, and log user behavior during VR experiences. It also includes tools for visualizing gaze points, heatmaps, and calibration diagnostics. The SDK supports both Windows development and integration into research pipelines.
Applications
Summarize
Perspective
Healthcare
FOVE's eye-tracking VR systems have been used in clinical research and healthcare settings for a range of applications, including early screening of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), concussion assessment, visual rehabilitation, and evaluation of neurological and ophthalmological conditions. The company's solutions enable non-invasive, objective assessment of visual attention and cognitive function through gaze behavior analysis. Several hospitals and clinics in Japan have adopted FOVE systems for these purposes.
Education
In educational contexts, FOVE has been utilized in special needs education to visualize student attention patterns and improve instructional strategies. By tracking where and how long students focus within VR learning environments, educators can gain insights into engagement and comprehension. The system has also been employed in training simulations where eye behavior is used to assess performance and decision-making.
Research
FOVE devices are widely used in academic research fields such as psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, and human-computer interaction (HCI). Universities and laboratories have used the technology to study gaze patterns, visual processing, attention, and emotion recognition. The availability of raw gaze data and compatibility with standard development environments make the system suitable for experimental design and data collection.[3]
Installations and Collaborations
FOVE systems have been adopted by a number of medical institutions and academic organizations in Japan for use in clinical research and cognitive evaluation.
Notable institutions include:
- Kyushu University Hospital – used in cognitive function studies involving mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
- Saga University – involved in research on gaze-based cognitive screening tools
- The University of Tokyo – utilized for interdisciplinary research involving psychology and virtual reality
- Kanazawa University – implemented in studies on human attention and visual behavior
In addition to hospitals and universities, FOVE has collaborated with pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers to develop screening tools for use in general health checkups and community-based interventions.[4]
External links
References
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