New assistive technology for communicating with disabled people based on gaze interaction

Gaze interaction is a computer access method that allows disabled people to control a computer with their eyes. Gaze interaction only requires the movement of the eye itself— the movement of other muscles is not required, making it a perfect solution for those with rehabilitative disabilities (paralysis, spinal cord injury, repetitive strain injury, severe carpal tunnel) and/or motor disabilities. The paper describes a simple software application of a new assistive device (Tobii eyeX tracker) and its evaluation for communicating with disabled people based on gaze interaction. The proposed communication method is developed as a part of a more complex integrated system for assistance in communicating with and telemonitoring severe neuromotor disabled patients.