Controlling your computer with your eyes
On Friday 6th July, engineers from the Imperial College, London, reported that they have built a cheap device that allows a person with a disability to control a computer using only their eyes.
The gadget consists of two video-game cameras, costing less than $10 apiece, attached outside the line of vision to a pair of ordinary glasses. The cameras relay the eye’s movements to a regular computer, wirelessly or via USB, while using just one watt of power.
This enables patients to control a cursor just like a computer mouse in a smoother and quicker process rather than using expensive technology while restoring some level of independence to people who do not have use of their hands.
Many systems of a similar arrangement use blinking to represent a mouse clip. However, researchers announced they solved the problem of involuntary blinking in controlling the computer by adjusting their system to work on a single-eyed wink instead.
Furthermore, researchers were also able to calibrate how far into the distance their subjects were looking, holding promise for future applications that may allow people to control an electronic wheelchair simply by looking at where they want to go.
The “Magic Train of India” – Prevention of Disability
The Impact India Foundation’s Lifeline Express, the world’s first hospital on a train, has introduced a new programme, Prevention of Disability. For over two decades, the train, in partnership with the Indian Railways, has reached remote villages in the country to restore sight, movement, hearing and correction of cleft lips with dental and neurological treatment and more, completely free of cost.
The “Magic Train of India” has stated that their focus has now shifted on prevention and sustainability. Prevention of disability through school health education to help build knowledge, skills and positive attitudes on health amongst the rural schoolchildren is their latest goal. This means using everything that is a part of the existing health transportation in rural Maharashtra for preventing disabilities while hoping to use this as a model for the entire country.In this sector, Impact India Foundation has managed to reduce the rate of disability in Maharashtra by 72% by spreading awareness about the issue.
