Crippled Girl Can Talk!: Motion Sensing Laser Technology can Revolutionize Gaming!
In Technology.
Six year old Elke Wisbey is brain damaged and hardly able to communicate. But with the help of new toy developed by MyTobii, the prohibitively priced Smartbox machine brings new hope to the family of this crippled child.
At £17,000 the Smartbox machine uses motion sensors to detect the motion and aim of the two eyes of the little child, and what they are looking at. Using a macro/avatar/icon based interface, Elke is able to point to objects on the screen that represent a set of words or emotes.
Thought to be totally disabled in expressing her feelings, Elke was able to say the sweetest thing to her mother, “I love you, mum!” It was when her 9 year old brother, Gallahad, noticed what she was trying to say that they realized what had just happened. Days when she would be completely independent and assisted by such devices are not far away.
Contemporary interfaces for gaming these days are either the joypads, or the keyboard and mouse pair. Scientists are working hard to change this and incorporate inputs from other anatomical regions, like the face. The level of accuracy and speed that can be achieved by using one’s eyes as pointers is a thousand times more than a hand propelled laser mouse. Additionally it frees up one hand and reduced physical work rate.
On a similar pattern, scientists are developing (neuron) signal sensing head gear that can allow for people to use neurons to command and control machines while seated in their chairs. As futuristic as it may sound, it’s all here!
The Eyetoy for the PlayStation series, Nintendo Wii are all precursors to an age of interface controllers that will shift the emphasis from fingers and hands to face, arms and even legs. (We could learn a few things from the automotive industry.)
Gamers thrive for accuracy, speed, customizability and diversity in their controls. Technologies like these can revolutionize gaming and add a new depths to gaming competition. Just thinking about driving simulators by nodding one’s head and issuing commands with the blink of an eye on a virtual football pitch makes my mind spin.
If you’ve got a similar idea to improve modern gaming and human interface with machines, share and discuss with us in the comments below!
The new technology seems very promising.But £17,000 is huge amount of money.
Believing in the potential of Pakistani’s, I pray that it comes out of this law & order and financial crisis soon and starts making progress in the arena of science and technology so that all technologies like these can be availed by our lower class people who are more likely to suffer from physical and mental problems.
Comment Posted at: November 2nd, 2008 at 7:50 am
Interesting stuff…Thanks. Keep it up!
Comment Posted at: November 2nd, 2008 at 10:00 am
Thanks a lot guys.
@ Mutated: I believe technology is not far from enabling humans with disabilities. Although pricey, now, things like prosthetic arms, and actuated limbs are already there in the market.
I see it’s adaptation in gaming and entertainment technology much sooner with great popularity.
Comment Posted at: November 2nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm