#optikey
Within the past year, multiple companies have released eyetrackers costing hundreds, instead of (tens of) thousands, of dollars. These new devices are aimed at gaming and multimedia applications, but they are still amazingly useful as assistive technology. The two main competitors at this point seem to be Eye Tribe andTobii EyeX.
I purchased an EyeX unit this March, and it has significantly expanded what I can do with my computer. I will write later about the specifics of my setup, but I want to today just survey some of the development happening on the EyeX and other low-cost eye tracking devices (much software works across multiple devices) which is relevant to disability. (There is also significant gaming development on the platform, but it is largely using multiple input devices and would not be accessible to many physically disabled people. Plus,Tobii will tell you all about that.)
To be clear, I’m saying that these devices have great accessibility potential, not that they are currently ready made computer access solutions. At present, using these devices as an accessibility tool requires at least moderate technical skills.
Okay, without further ado, here are some software projects I find interesting:
- OptiKey is an on-screen keyboard and mouse emulator specifically designed for eye tracking input. Free and open source. Windows only.
- Project Iris uses eye tracking to control the mouse. It also allows you to define active screen regions and triggers actions when you look at them. Many potential uses for accessible gaming. Paid. Windows only.
- Gaze Speaker is a self contained environment for speech generation by eye movements. Also includes other tools like an email client, a simple web browser, and a file browser, all designed to be accessed by eye alone. Free and open source.
- FreePIE lets you write Python scripts that take input from many, many different devices, including the EyeX. You can use that input to trigger just about any action you can imagine, provided you can figure out how to write the code. Probably best for geeks, but extremely powerful for meeting custom needs. Free and open source.
