Millions of people suffer from multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy, spinal problems or have limbs amputated can interact with their computers and the environment, thanks to a new device that costs about 40 pounds.
The device can identify the exact place where a man looks, watching how the patient’s eyes moving. Thus, it can control a cursor on the screen as if using a mouse.
Technology includes an eye-tracking and smart software, created by researchers at Imperial College London. To demonstrate the functionality of the device, the researchers presented at a press conference how it can be used. Users have played Pong, a classic game, surfing the internet and sent an e-mail, all without using anything but look.
GT3D device consists of two high speed cameras, which are attached a pair of glasses. Rooms are constantly shooting pupil patient, and based on these pictures software performs a series of calculations to identify the point where it looks.
Researchers now intend to calculate more precisely the patient look in 3D, identifying distance they look. If the patient will be able to calculate the 3D look, the system will allow users to control an electronic wheelchair just look – they will look at where they wish to reach, and the seat will turn to the location. It also would allow patients to use robotic prosthesis.
Dr Aldo Faisal, professor in the department of bioengineering neurotehnologie the university, believes that this first step is encouraging. “We managed to build an eye tracking system hundreds of times cheaper than those on the market today and I used to build a brain-machine interface that allows patients to interact more easily and faster than with existing technologies , which are more invasive and expensive “.
“Our success is an example of frugal innovation. We designed a smarter software and existing hardware we used to create a device that will help people around the world, “concluded Dr. Faisal.
Source: Institute of Physics
