Researchers at the Imperial College London have come up with an eye-tracking device that allows people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injuries or amputees to control cursor on computer screen. During its initial testing, the GT3D device enabled subjects to play games, browse the web and write emails. Priced at less than $30 (25 euros), the innovative device allows patients to interact more effectively than they could do with expensive commercial systems.
The machine relies on a smart software, two fast video game console cameras and a pair of glasses. The real-time brain machine interface is connected to cameras that closely monitor eye movement and track pupils’ position. Calibrations, thus gathered, helps researchers to assess (in 3D) where a person is focusing on the screen.
By utilizing the binocular eye-tracker, the subjects could register a decent score “within 20 per cent of the able bodied users after just 10 minutes of using the device for the first time.” Consuming just one watt of power, the device can transmit data over Wi-Fi or via USB into any Windows or Linux computer.
