Electronic Eye Gaze Communication Options for People with ALS
aac als amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Assistive Technology augcomm augmentative communication Eye Gaze mndThere are various types of electronic eye gaze options for people with ALS. These systems rely on eye movement to “activate” a letter on a computer screen in order for the letter to be typed. In order for the system to work reliably, the person with ALS needs to have upper and lower and lateral eye movements. This article will describe the various options for eye gaze technology including insurance funded devices and DIY (Do It Yourself) devices.
Insurance funded systems
For more sophisticated computer access there are several “eye gaze” computer systems on the market. These high priced specialty computers rely strictly on eye movement for activation. This type of machine is only used by people that have little or no muscle movement left on their bodies. The basic premise is that a CCTV camera is placed below a computer monitor. The camera tracks your retina movement. Special software is loaded into the computer and allows the user to have full access by simply moving their eyes around the screen.
Insurance will only fund an eye gaze system if the speech therapist writing the report can document no other forms of access will work with the client. Most insurance companies (including Medicare and some private insurance providers) will fund 80% of the cost of this device. However, following Medicare guidelines, people enrolled in hospice or living at an assisted living facility are NOT eligible for communication devices. This often leads to frustration for many PALS since they now need the eye gaze systems but can’t get them funded. There are now other options on the market which are described later in this document.
Producers of eye gaze systems are:
Other Eyegaze Options (most are not fundable via insurance but it never hurts to ask)
The Eye Tribe $99.00 (http://theeyetribe.com) Not yet available—company taking pre-orders. Expected shipment date December 2013.
The Eye Tribe software enables eye control on mobile devices, allowing handsfree navigation of websites and apps; incl. eye activated login, enhanced gaming experiences and cloudbased user engagement analytics. The Eye Tribe intends to become the leading provider of eye control technology for mass market consumer devices by licensing the technology to manufacturers.
It all started seven years ago where the four founders meet at the IT University of Copenhagen. The ambition was to make eye tracking available for everyone at an affordable price. Within a couple of years they were renowned as the world leading research group in low cost eye tracking. After finishing their PhD’s the four founders bought the IP from the University and formed The Eye Tribe company during their participation in the European StartupBootcamp accelerator program in 2011. The team now includes 16 full time employees, building eye tracking software and applications for mobile devices. The Eye Tribe received seed funding of USD 1 million from private European investors in 2012 and is also leading a USD 4.4 Million government funded project to develop eye control for mobile devices.
The EyeWriter Project (a Do It Yourself Kit—the blueprints are free and cost of materials is about $100.00. http://www.eyewriter.org)
Members of Free Art and Technology (FAT), OpenFrameworks, the Graffiti Research Lab, and The Ebeling Group communities have teamed-up with a legendary LA graffiti writer, publisher and activist, named TEMPTONE. Tempt1 was diagnosed with ALS in 2003, a disease which has left him almost completely physically paralyzed… except for his eyes. This international team is working together to create a low-cost, open source eye-tracking system that will allow ALS patients to draw using just their eyes. The long-term goal is to create a professional/social network of software developers, hardware hackers, urban projection artists and ALS patients from around the world who are using local materials and open source research to creatively connect and make eye art.
The Tobii PCEye Go is a peripheral eye tracker that enhances computer accessibility with the speed, power and accuracy of gaze interaction. The device replaces the standard mouse, allowing you to navigate and control a desktop or laptop computer using only your eyes. You place this device on your EXISTING computer so no other hardrive is required. The PCEye Go runs on standard Windows computers and tablets, allowing you to work with any application that is normally controlled by a standard computer mouse or through touch. Surf the web, connect with friends online, play games, Skype, use environmental controls to turn on the lights or TV and even make spreadsheets and documents by using your eyes.
The PC Eye can also be used on any WINDOWS TABLET and will turn that tablet into an eye gaze system.
VT2Mini by Eye Tech Ditigal Systems (https://www.eyetechds.com/vt2-mini.shtml)
With the simplicity of a single USB interface, the VT2 mini offers compactness and the largest head motion box for reliable and accurate data collection. Easily swapped between laptops, tablets or desktop computers, we include the QuickCAPTURE gaze analysis software and QuickLINK API to allow researchers and developers access to valuable metrics such as gaze position, dwell times, blink rates, pupil size, and much more.
VisionKey is the latest in eye controlled communication and enables users with severe physical disabilities to type and talk with their eyes. Lightweight and head mounted, VisionKey gives users communication independence and control in their lives by simply "looking". The system also gives them each a voice by enabling them to control a speech synthesizer in the VisionKey unit or on the computer. Now users can write letters, play games, surf the net and listen to multi-media sound just by moving their eyes. VisionKey combines a viewer mounted on a pair of standard frames with a small control unit. An eye tracker and a microcomputer measure the position of the eye and when a selection is made, it appears on the control unit LCD and on the computer. Users look at a specific word, letter or character on the chart in front of their eye and "type" by holding their gaze until a selection is confirmed by a green highlight and a beep.
The research into electronic eye gaze devices continues to develop at an amazing speed. As new technology emerges, additions will be made to this list.
Should you have any questions about eye gaze technology or any assistive technology for people with ALS, please feel free to contact me at abrownlee@alsa-national.org.
Alisa Brownlee, ATP
September 2013
