IRISBOND awarded for its innovative technology for inclusion in the Zero Project Conference at UN headquarters
- The Spanish company has been selected among 523 applications from 97 countries for its innovation, impact and scalability, being the only company in the eye-tracking sector attending.
- IRISBOND presented Hiru, the world’s first multi-platform eye-tracking device capable of running on both Windows and iPadOS that allows people with different conditions such as ALS, cerebral palsy or Rett syndrome, among others, to communicate, promoting inclusivity and schooling.
- Currently more than 5 thousand people around the world use IRISBOND technology to communicate thanks to the 3rd generation of its eye-tracking system.
IRISBOND has been awarded for its innovative technology for inclusion in the Zero Project Conference at a UN headquarters in Vienna. Zero Project is a global initiative led by the Essl Foundation that focuses on the rights of persons with disabilities around the world, providing a platform for sharing innovative and effective solutions to support the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The conference, which brings together around 1,000 attendees from 100 countries and more than 10,000 online viewers, was focused this year on inclusive education and information and communication technologies (ICTs). It brought together people from all countries, from senior European Union institutions to senior executives from companies such as Apple, Google, UNICEF, Atos, European Disability Forum, European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD), Universities, Hospitals, etc. who are committed to accessibility and inclusion and to a world with zero barriers.
IRISBOND awarded for its innovative technology for inclusion
This year, IRISBOND has been selected among 523 candidate companies from 97 countries for its outstanding technology, innovation, impact and scalability. It is also the only company from the eye-tracking sector that will be present. It was recognised at the awards ceremony on Thursday 22nd, February.
The company presented Hiru, thefirst multi-platform eye-tracker in the world that works indistinguishly in Windows and iPadOS. Currently more than 5 thousand people around the world use IRISBOND’s technology to communicate thanks to the 3rd generation of its eye-tracking system. Hiru is an eye-tracking device that allows people with different conditions to communicate verbally with their eyes. It supports people with ALS, cerebral palsy or Rett syndrome, among other conditions. Their exceptional product development led them to be awarded Apple’s Mfi certification in April 2022, something that only 3 companies in the world have achieved.
“We are deeply grateful for the recognition we have received through this prestigious award. It is an honour for us to be recognised once again by Zero Project and participating in an event at the United Nations in Vienna represents an invaluable opportunity. It allows us to consolidate our position as leaders in the field of technology with purpose, as we are committed to developing and promoting technological solutions that foster inclusion and equitable access to education,” says Eduardo Jáuregui, founder of IRISBOND.
Participation in the conference
In addition, IRISBOND participated in several key events:
- Eduardo Jáuregui, founder of IRISBOND, participated in the session “High-tech solutions expanding to global markets”, on Wednesday 21 February from 11:00 – 12:00h.
- As part of the programme, IRISBOND made a 7-minute pitch in the “Scaling Solution Program” on Thursday 22 February.
- IRISBOND participated in the Zero Project Technology Forum 2024. A half-day event dedicated to connecting innovators and sources of support to help disability inclusion innovators succeed and scale their products and services. An event that took place on 20 February, from 02:00 pm – 06:00 pm CET.
These opportunities allowed IRISBOND to highlight its commitment to technology innovation for inclusion and make meaningful connections with other industry leaders and policy makers committed to accessibility.
“Being present at Zero Project gives us the opportunity to share our experiences and contribute to the global dialogue on how ICT can positively transform education for all. We will continue to work tirelessly to advance our mission to make technology accessible and beneficial for all, especially in education,” says Eduardo Jáuregui, co-founder of IRISBOND.
Leader in inclusive education and accessibility
IRISBOND is a Spanish technology company co-founded by Eduardo Jáuregui together with the technology centre, Vicomtech, thanks, among others, to the support to entrepreneurship by the SPRI Group, develops and commercialises solutions based on Artificial Intelligence using eye-tracking techniques to facilitate human-machine interaction.
Thanks to IRISBOND’s advanced software algorithms, based on artificial intelligence, the movement of the eyes is captured and translated into precise movements within a screen. This means that anyone can access all information naturally, intuitively and without the use of hands; creating a new way of relating to the environment through eye-tracking technologies.
In 2023 the company celebrated a decade of innovation and success. From its beginnings to its current position as a global leader in inclusive education and accessibility, the company has continued to redefine the boundaries of eye-tracking innovation and set the pace of technological progress. Throughout these ten years, the company has overcome challenges and demonstrated an exceptional ability to adapt to an ever-evolving technological landscape, focusing from the outset on Artificial Intelligence-based solutions.
On the other hand, the company won different prizes such as “Accessible Europe: ICT 4 ALL” or the ONCE Foundation’s Discapnet Prize for Accessible Technologies, for its cutting-edge technology and for reflecting the values of innovation, success and inclusion of the solution, thus improving the quality of life of people with disabilities.
As for its founder, Eduardo Jáuregui has over 18 years of experience in the engineering and industry field. In 2013 he teamed up with the VICOMTECH-IK4 research centre to co-found IRISBOND and bring his technological accessibility solutions to the market, developing a system based on the eye-tracking principle, which allows precise computer control by means of eye movement.
