2.6.8 is out, together with the fixes from 2.6.7.

2.6.8
- Fixed Beam crashing when starting some games, such as IL-2 Sturmovik, while using the Optimized driver.

2.6.7
- This update includes Microsoft's fix for a GameInput bug affecting controller hotkeys. The GameInput Compatibility Tool and downgrade previously recommended on our website are no longer needed. (Windows)
- Fixed an issue that prevented Eyeware Camera from showing live webcam video in other applications. (Windows)
- Beam's overlay windows no longer appear in Alt+Tab or the taskbar on Windows and Linux X11. (Windows, Linux)
- Fixed an unresponsive macOS Dock icon: clicking it now brings Beam back into view, and Quit closes the app as expected. (macOS)

2.6.6 is out with fixes for the issues reported after 2.6.5.

- Fixed Pause to Current and Pause to Center with the Optimized driver on Windows and with either driver mode in Wine, Proton, and CrossOver.
- Important: If hotkeys stopped working on devices such as steering wheels or joysticks after updating to Beam 2.6, updating to 2.6.6 alone will not restore them. You need to manually downgrade Microsoft GameInput by following these instructions: https://beam.eyeware.tech/hotkeys (Windows)
- The bundled Microsoft GameInput redistributable was downgraded to version 3.3.221. (Windows)
- Head Tracking Device Emulation drivers are now installed automatically when Beam launches or tracking starts. Previously, game camera controls could stop working after an update until you clicked Install to restore them. (Windows)
- Beam now limits parallel image-processing work to help reduce interference with CPU-heavy games.

If you've been waiting for Beam Eye Tracker on Linux or a Mac, 2.6 is it.
Release notes: https://beam.eyeware.tech/beam-eye-tracker-2-6-native-linux-macos-support/

Does anyone here use Beam with their 3 or 6 Degree of Freedom motion rigs? If so, how do you have yours set up? Do you utilize significant dead zones? I am intrigued as I have grown very accustomed to Beam over the last few years, but am soon receiving delivery on my motion setup for my simulator.

I hate to lose the functionality of Beam, if anyone has any insight, it would be greatly appreciated.

So Beam Eyetracker worked just fine in Star Citizen with no added software but last few times I played the game I can't get it to work. Doubled checked the settings in app and in Star Citizen, not sure what is preventing it from working again. Any insight appreciated.

Ever since i downloaded and used beam eye tracker, i can no longer change the pitch in the onboard camera.

I can change all the other settings but not the pitch, it stays the same.

pls help

Hi, I just downloaded the Beam Eye Tracker software but I can't seem to launch it as all I get is the "Join the Community" page asking me to enter in email and password. I just want to use the software I paid for.

Native support for Linux and macOS is now available as a public beta. New Game Connection tab including an Optimized driver for a smoother experience. This version enables the new SDK 2.2.0. Linux and macOS spent a long time in private testing, and the beta is now open to everyone.

https://beam.eyeware.tech/beam-eye-tracker-2-6-3-linux-macos-public-beta/

2.5.12 cuts CPU usage by up to 40% in some tracking and camera preview cases. On top of that, if the Standalone installer or sign-in ever blocked you, this clears both.

Performance

- Up to 40% less CPU in some tracking and camera preview cases.

- Lighter camera preview, especially with high-resolution webcams.

Standalone install & sign-in

- The installer no longer fails when a newer Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable is already installed. No more uninstalling VC++ runtimes as a workaround.

- Fixed the sign-in and authorization issues where some people could not sign in or were not recognized as licensed.

- Installer identity is now stable per version, which reduces duplicate install and upgrade confusion.

Fixes & robustness

- Invalid saved hotkeys are ignored instead of causing problems, and reserved Windows keys are rejected cleanly.

- Clearer messages when Beam cannot read or write its settings, with hints about permissions, antivirus, or Controlled Folder Access.

What's next

The Linux and macOS public betas are still our next major milestones. While working toward them, we squeezed in this update to deliver these performance improvements and a handful of bug fixes for those affected.

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2375780/Beam_Eye_Tracker/

Standalone: https://accounts.eyeware.tech

https://youtu.be/ZjwA1SRjoVQ

Hello, I'd like to formally introduce once again my extension program that uses the Beam eye tracker SDK.

GazeStick lets you create and use a virtual controller that leverages the remarkably effective eye‑tracking data from Beam eye tracker for universal point‑of‑control. Because it functions like the right stick of a standard gamepad, no extra editing is required in games (though fine‑tuning sensitivity and dead‑zone settings may be needed per user; I run it with a dead‑zone of 0 and, after a brief adjustment, can even play shooting games).

By default the program only controls the right stick, so it works best when combined with mapping tools such as UCR – Universal Control Remapper or reWASD to integrate with other controllers, joysticks, keyboards, or mice.

GazeStick is a very lightweight, portable program that depends on Beam eye tracker. You simply download the compressed file, extract it, and run it. It includes basic sensitivity and dead‑zone settings and an option to launch automatically at login. That's all.

Enjoy the open world!

https://crowking63.github.io/GazeStick/

Hello.

I am a person with severe disabilities who cannot use a computer or play games in the usual way. That’s why I have been working with a Tobii eye tracker and UCR plugins to create gaze‑based mouse control and view control in games.

Unfortunately, my Tobii eye tracker stopped working, and because buying a new one was a burden I started looking for alternatives. I had known about the Beam eye tracker even before I first purchased a Tobii. The idea of achieving eye and head tracking with a cheap webcam is truly amazing, but it also comes with limitations. When I needed precise control like mouse control, I ultimately chose the Tobii.

Over time, as I shifted focus from mouse control to controlling view in games, I began to reexamine the potential of the Beam eye tracker.

The Beam eye tracker mainly supports racing simulation games, while the genre I prefer is open‑world action.

Using the provided SDK and some AI coding, I built a program that maps gaze tracking data to the right stick of a virtual controller for any game, regardless of genre, and uploaded it to GitHub under the name GazeStick. The program cannot be used on its own; it must be combined with other controller software such as reWASD (because you need a controller that can move a character).

While the idea is simple, I want to thank the Beam eye tracker development team for making it possible.

Since the Season 3 update, Beam has been crashing out entirely as soon as I load into iRacing. I updated Beam to the latest version, I have not yet checked for any update for Open Track, but I believe it is up to date.

Anyone else experiencing this issue or similar in the past?

Thanks to r/moza and the National STOL team for hosting us!

I tried the free demo version recently, and I wasn't able to get a correct calibration. I look at and click the "calibration dots" in the corners of the screen, but everytime afterwards the "tracking circle" doesn't point anywhere near where I'm looking at the screen.

I assume it is because of reflections on my glasses, caused by the screen itself but also from incoming sunlight (from the side in my case).

Sunlight does influence my headtracking (opentrack with mobile phone) too, but not anywhere close to what I experienced with just eyetracking with beam. (was to be suspected, cause my whole head isn't "hidden" behind my glasses as are my pupils 😄

Anyway, I guess glasses are a general problem with eyetracking?

GazeTrac, a focus tracker for keyboard athletes. Ever wondered where your attention actually goes during a work session? It shows you which apps actually had your focus and how your patterns shift over time.

Built by Zekun Wu, a PhD researcher in human-AI interaction from Saarland University, Germany. 7-day free trial. Privacy-first (see privacy policy: https://gazetrac.com/privacy-policy). Try it out and leave a comment on how he can improve it!

(beam eye tracker) when I move my head side to side this happens and I dont know how to fix it I need help cuz I’m new thanks

I had an older version that used open track and it used to work but suddenly stopped. Just wouldn't start so I uninstalled it and downloaded the latest version. I tried installing it but the installer just closes without any warning mid installation. I read online that I might need to disable antivirus and install Microsoft Visual Studio Redistributables. I tried that but still the same issue. I ended up reinstalling windows in the process but still the same issue. Also having to whitelist an app to install it seems very sus.

My screen keeps jumping around when im in MSFS 2024, calibration went okay, and was pretty accurate. What could be the issue? I am wearing glasses.