This new platform lets you chat just with your eyes
Eyechat, a novel online platform, is redefining the way people connect by enabling users to gaze into each other's eyes. The brainchild of developer Neal Agarwal, this live video pairing site was launched following the shutdown of popular video chatting site Omegle. Eyechat offers a unique experience (a thin bar of video feed) where users can engage in non-verbal communication through their eyes only, with individuals from anywhere in the world.
Eyechat: Is it a solution to Omegle's shutdown?
Agarwal was inspired to create Eyechat following the shutdown of Omegle. He aimed to preserve some aspects of human connection while minimizing potential abuse. "I've always loved experimenting with ways of connecting strangers on the internet in ways that might feel a little awkward," Agarwal said. "When Omegle shut down, I started to wonder what the minimum amount of video contact was that would still feel meaningful."
Unique video cropping feature
Eyechat employs a client-side machine learning (ML) model to crop the video down to just your eyes. The platform also uses stabilization techniques to keep the eyes in the center of the view. This cropped view is then transmitted to a stranger using WebRTC and a peer-to-peer video connection. Unlike Omegle or older versions of Chatroulette, Eyechat has implemented measures to prevent users from connecting without their eyes in view, effectively addressing issues faced by previous platforms.
A platform for non-verbal communication
Users have reported varied experiences on Eyechat, with some connections lasting only seconds before the other party disconnects. However, others have engaged in extended sessions of blink and squint games. Agarwal hopes that Eyechat serves as a reminder that "the internet can be fun and weird and collaborative." He believes his platform offers a unique opportunity for people to connect in ways never before possible.
