Google has acquired a 3-year-old eye-tracking company for virtual and augmented reality headsets, signaling the tech giant's interest in the immersive technologies. Eyefluence, founded in 2013 by serial entrepreneurs Jim Marggraff and David Stiehr, develops eye-interaction technologies to control VR and AR headsets. "Eyes can instantaneously transform intent into action, enabling communication as fast as you can see," the company says. The deal with Google was announced Tuesday. "With our forces combined, we will continue to advance eye-interaction technology to expand human potential and empathy on an even larger scale," Eyefluence said in a blog post.

Google's mission to bring VR to the masses has resulted in the development of the Daydream View and Cardboard, but the company isn't stopping there. In July, we brought you news that the search giant is secretly working on a new high-end standalone headset, which we now know will incorporate eye tracking and use sensors to help users interact with the virtual spaces in front of them. To help it do just that, Google has confirmed the acquisition of Eyefluence, a three-year-old startup that specializes in turning eye movements into virtual actions. We previously met Eyefluence CEO and founder Jim Marggraff when he showed off his company's developments in virtual reality storytelling. Marggraff -- the man behind the LeadPad kids tablet -- and his team have already developed software to see what you're looking at and tell whether you're interested or just plain bored by it.

Controlling a computer screen with nothing but your eyes may be coming closer and closer to reality, and it's all thanks to Eyefluence, a Silicon Valley-based startup whose mission revolves around hands-free navigation. While much of the team's progress has been kept closely under wraps, TechCrunch reports that Eyefluence has been testing out a number of different prototypes, using augmented reality glasses outfitted with cameras that keep track of what you're looking at. This technology, the team notes, could be used in a wide variety of applications -- whether you're looking to buy a dress online or send a photo of that dress to your friends, you can do it without lifting a finger. This hands-free system "moves as fast as you can think," said Jim Marggraff, founder and CEO at Eyefluence. And while there's other similar technology on the market, Marggraff insists that Eyefluence differs in its ability to function "without winking and without waiting."

Eyefluence is one of many eye-tracking tech startups that is working on a way for a user of VR or AR headsets to navigate through a series of options using just your eyes. SAN FRANCISCO – The next big leap for virtual and augmented reality headsets is likely to be eye-tracking, where headset-mounted laser beams aimed at eyeballs turn your peepers into a mouse. A number of startups are working on this tech, with an aim to convince VR gear manufacturers such as Oculus Rift and HTC Vive to incorporate the feature in a next generation device. They include SMI, Percept, Eyematic, Fove and Eyefluence, which recently allowed USA TODAY to demo its eye-tracking tech. "Eye-tracking is almost guaranteed to be in second-generation VR headsets," says Will Mason, cofounder of virtual reality media company UploadVR.