Umove

Umoove is a high-tech startup company that has developed and patented software technology for tracking eye and face movements. The original goal of the technology was to help people with disabilities, but over time it has changed. The only requirement for running Umoove software on tablets and smartphones is a front camera. The company is based in Israel , in Jerusalem .

The company has 15 employees. In 2012, she received $ 2 million in funding. When starting a business in 2010, the founders invested about $ 800,000 in the company. In 2013, Umoove was among the 3 most promising Israeli startups according to Newsgeeks. The company also participated in the LeWeb conference in Paris , where there are presentations of startups in the field of innovative technologies.

Technology

The technology uses information obtained from previous frames, such as the angle of the user's head, to predict the location of the face in the next frame. This prediction minimizes the amount of computation required to scan each image. Umoove takes into account changes in the environment, lighting, and jitter / movement of the user's hand. The technology provides continuous use regardless of whether you are in a brightly lit space or in a dark room, and works continuously, self-adapting to changes in color and brightness of lighting. It uses stabilization methods to filter out the body's natural movements from camera shake to reduce the number of misrecognized movements.

Running Umoove software on the Samsung Galaxy S3 ^[1] requires only 2% of the processor time. Umoove works exclusively by software methods, and for its work does not require additional hardware. The application can be launched on any smartphone or tablet that has a front camera. The developers claim that even with a low-quality camera and outdated devices, the application will work flawlessly.

Umoove Experience

In January 2014, Umoove released the first game on the App Store ^[2] . The Umoove Experience application allows users to control the "flight" in the game with simple gestures and head movements. The character moves in the direction the user is looking. The game was designed to demonstrate technology for game developers.

In February 2014, Umoove announced that Face Tracking SDK is available for Android and iOS developers ^[3] .

Reviews

The Umoove Experience app has received positive reviews from bloggers and leading media. Their authors saw in this technology the future of games for smartphones. The Mashable website wrote that with Umoove technology, gesture recognition programs similar to Kinect in console games and Leap Motion's desktop games will appear on the mobile space.

However, there were skeptical reviews. For example, the CNET website did not respond positively to the game and called the eye tracking technology “insane, but fun.” The reviewer also noted that advanced technologies often do not live up to expectations, and cited Apple's Siri program as an example.

uHealth

In January 2015, Umoove launched uHealth, a mobile app. With the help of exercises based on gaze tracking technology, it trains the user’s attention, ability to concentrate, execute commands and not be distracted. The application is made in the form of two games: one for improving attention, and the other for developing the ability to concentrate. Umoove said it intends to use its technology to diagnose neurological disorders, but it all depends on the results of clinical trials and FDA approval . Company representatives cite a direct relationship between eye movements and brain activity, as well as various treatments based on this. uHealth is the only way that allows a person to undergo such treatment, just downloading the program on a smartphone.