What are the odds of meeting a person as brilliant as Stephen Hawking? Probably next to none. What are the odds of owning the same computer system as Stephen Hawking? I hate to sound repetitive, but also, probably next to none.
I know those are not very concrete statistics, but allow me to put you into perspective. Over 30,000 Americans are affected with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease that can leave people completely immobilized, with over 5,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Out of those numbers, only a handful have the financial means to operate a brain-computer interface that helps with communication; but that is no surprise. Computer software that translate cheek movements into words, such as the software Stephen Hawking uses, are grossly expensive. Existing technologies cost an upwards of $5,000, leaving seven out of ten ALS sufferers unable to pay for the expenses.
Image source: Gary Gershoff
However, there is hope in the near future. A new device in the works may help those with ALS, and other “locked-in” individuals, to communicate without causing injury to their wallets. The gadget, called EyeControl, allows users to “speak” by using their eye movements. In contrast to existing technology, which all require users to sit in front of a computer display, EyeControl is much more portable. The device is comprised of a head-mounted camera with an eye movement tracker, in addition to a small microcomputer called Odroid–the brain of the device. As the user moves his or her eyes, Odroid converts eye movement into speech, expressing it through headphones, speakers, or smartphones. By moving their eyes or blinking, patients are able to choose letters or phrases from a virtual keyboard in order to form sentences. With time, the software tailors itself to each specific patient’s habits similar to the way a smartphone is able to suggest words or phrases while texting.
The makers of EyeControl hope to start a beta test soon in order to work out the device’s kinks, and they are asking for donations. If all goes well, those suffering from ALS will be able to afford the ability to speak, something that should truly be priceless.
Feature Image Source: eye by madaise
