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INNOVATION FOR INDEPENDENCE
ISSUE 81 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 11 £6.95
Wheelchair eye control device revealed By Dominic Musgrave RESEARCHERS at the University of Bradford have unveiled new technology which allows disabled people to control their electric wheelchairs by simply moving their eyes. The breakthrough could help severely disabled people who up until now have not been able to move independently. This research, led by Dr Prashant Pillai, developed a unique eye controlled robot last year. But, after months of completely rewriting the software involved, they have now discovered how to apply this to an electric wheelchair and have made huge improvements to the technology. Prashant said: “We really had to go back to the beginning to make the technology work for electric wheelchairs. “We are really excited by how well our prototype is working and have managed to reduce the reaction time from when the eye movement takes place down from a few seconds to just a few milliseconds – which will feel instantaneous for the user. We have also made the headset completely wireless.” The technology works by the user wearing a tracking device on their face - like a pair of glasses – which has a small camera on it. The camera sends a signal to a central unit via
infra-red LEDs, precisely tracking eye movement right down to the exact position of the iris, which then relays the message to the electronics of the wheelchair. Users simply look in the direction they wish to travel and the wheelchair responds. Developed by the Future Ubiquitous Networks research team from the University's School of Engineering, Design and Technology, which is led by Professor Fun Hu and Prashant, the system has been named IRIS – Intelligent Recognition for Interactive Systems. Prashant added: “There are further opportunities to develop the technology to other electrical items in the home, and potentially removing the need for a headset completely, allowing wall mounted cameras in the user's home to pick up eye movement and wirelessly relay instructions to the technology used. “The longer term aspiration is to work towards a fully assisted home, where a user could just look at their television, lighting or music equipment to switch it on.” The team now intend to refine the technology further, then consult with disability groups to carry out user testing. They are hoping to attract external investment to allow them to further develop it and take it to market.
PC David Rathband officially opened the bi-annual Naidex Scotland in Glasgow. He also signed copies of his recently launched book Tango 190 in which he describes in his own words the night he was shot by gunman Raoul Moat, his recovery and how he set up the Blue Lamp foundation, the aim of which is to support members of the emergency services who have been injured in the line of duty.