Stockholm, Sweden, Hannover, Germany—March 1, 2011—Tobii Technology today unveiled the world’s first laptop with integrated eye control. The prototype laptop has been developed in collaboration with computer manufacturer Lenovo and will be shown publicly for the first time at CeBIT in Hannover, March 1-5.
This is a true boon for accident victims, and people afflicted by various neurological problems such as MS, strokes, ALS by giving them a way to use the most powerful tool ever invented: The computer.
From Tobii:
“Eye control – a truly natural interface
Most computer manufacturers today endeavor to enhance their products by adding more and more natural interfaces. Using our eyes to point, select and scroll is completely intuitive and complements traditional control interfaces, such as the mouse and keyboard, in a very natural way.
Eye movements can be used in a variety of ways in user interfaces, alone or in combination with other input modalities, such as a mouse, keyboard, sensors, or other devices. A few examples of research to improve efficiency and/or enhance the user experience include:
- Using eye tracking to control the mouse cursor on wall-sized displays
- Using eye tracking to control a mouse cursor, but also to select items the cursor rests on by focusing on the object
- Controlling digital 3D games by eye gaze
- Gaze interaction in virtual worlds
- Gaze visualizations in 3D environments
- Combining an eye control and speech interface to speed up typing. “
Tobii has collected real life stories about people who have been helped by this technology here:
http://www.tobii.com/assistive-technology/global/user-stories/
The Tobii hardware and software exist in various forms and can be seen in the picture below on a stand in front of the man using a flight simulation program. The range of uses is almost limitless including Medicine, raining, market reasearch…. etc.
Special for Jafo:
(image from Tobii)