EyeQ video calls take a fresh look at eye contact

Video calls, while essential, often lack the naturalness of in-person conversations, leading to fatigue and reduced engagement. There are plenty of tools that help you maintain eye contact when talking to people online – some (Plexicam, CenterCam) put the camera in front of your screen. Others use AI to edit the video stream to make it look like you’re looking at the camera (this is scary AF when done poorly). EyeQ is taking a different approach, and we took a closer look at CES 2024 in Las Vegas.

This simple but ingenious device connects to your laptop and, through the use of a mirror, enables you to maintain eye contact with the person you are talking to, even while looking at your screen.

The need for such equipment is greater than ever. A recent study from Stanford University highlights the serious impact of video call fatigue on workers. The lack of personal connection and inability to maintain eye contact during video calls are major contributing factors to this problem.

If you look carefully you can see the camera in the expanse of darkness. Image credit: TechCrunch/HaysComps

“When participating in a video call, you usually face the dilemma of choosing between looking at the camera or your screen. To address this, we have developed a tool that combines both elements, similar to a teleprompter. In its compact form, it looks like an iPad Pro, but it can be unfolded and mounted on your laptop,” Gert Maas, founder and CEO of iQ, explained in an interview with TechCrunch. “This device has a transparent mirror, which allows you to see through it while a camera located below the half mirror records your image. It is designed for easy installation, it only takes a few seconds and connects via USB cable. This device is adaptable to both laptop and desktop monitors.”

The device is expected to ship in June 2024 and is compatible with all major video platforms. It comes in three sizes to fit any screen and includes an Ultra HD 4K camera, a digital microphone, and a stylish cover made of recycled leather.

“Our primary focus is on the online health care and consultation markets, where creating authentic eye contact is critical. Our solution offers a more natural appearance than existing AI-based options,” says Maas.

The solution is elegant, except that it becomes harder to type when the device is installed on your laptop – not a problem if you have an external keyboard, but that means it’s less for road warriors and more for those The more equipment we have, the more we’ve got a more permanent office setup.