Hot News from ISAAC 2008!
Mick Donegan
ISAAC is an International Biennial Conference specialising in Alternative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The COGAIN stand was visited by hundreds of specialists and people with disabilities eager for an independent view on several new exciting developments in the field of eye control technology. There were, indeed, several new systems on show so there was plenty to discuss! The purpose of this news item is simply to point you in the direction of the new developments. Please visit the relevant websites to find out more…
The LC Eyegaze Edge running on a laptop
Firstly, LC technology has released a brand new system, "The Eyegaze Edge". LC describe it as being smaller, more powerful and simpler, yet with all of the functionality that LC has built its reputation on over the last 20 years. Initial information suggests that in the price, too, is very competitive. As well as having its own software it is fully Windows compatible. We understand that it can be purchased separately to be used within the existing windows computer or with a special computer that can be wheelchair mounted.
The Dynavox 'Eyemax', featuring an eye control 'add-on' at the base
EyeTech have teamed up with Dynavox to produce an eye controlled system. The Dynavox is a dedicated speech output device. It does not run Windows but it has a range of features including communication and environmental control. The Eyetech system has been fitted to the base of the Dynavox as an 'add-on' to enable the device to be accessed through eye control as well as its existing range of access methods. The 'Eyemax' system is said to accommodate a certain amount of head movement.
The ALEA Intelligaze fitted to the base of a monitor
The 'ALEA Intelligaze' (suppliers include Falck Igel and Smartbox) is a brand new eye control system from Germany. It is an 'add-on' device and is designed to be positioned at the base of a monitor It is fully Windows compatible and the company have invested considerable energy into enabling the Intelligaze to accommodate involuntary head movement.
The Seetech fitted to the base of a windows tablet computer
The 'SeeTech' eye control system is another new system developed in Germany at HumanElektronik, shown at the ATNAD stand. Considerable effort has also been invested in enabling this device to accommodate head movement. It, too, is an 'add-on' device designed to be fitted to the base of a monitor or tablet computer.
It was particularly encouraging to see the increasing awareness of other companies in eye controlled technology. As described above, the teaming up of Dynavox, a very well established communication aid company, with Eyetech is very exciting news. It would not be too surprising to find other speech output device companies following suit in the future.
The Grid 2 running with 'The LC Eyegaze Edge' at the base of the monitor
In terms of software, one very exciting development is that The Grid 2 is making its software more compatible with even more eye control systems. A Grid 2 special, centralised 'dwell-select' feature, found to be particularly helpful to many young children or people with involuntary movement now works with 'The LC Eyegaze Edge' and 'ALEA Intelligaze' (both soon to be sold by Smartbox).