Could Eye Trackers to be used for Calligraphy?

A new piece of eye tracking technology, out of Universite Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris, could allow disabled patients to literally write with their eyes.

In addition to the ability to type with your eyes, which is allowed by virtually every eye tracking device with mouse control, the new device and software allows users to write in script/cursive fonts, as well as print. This type of “writing” is possible because of an advancement in the system, discovered by French scientist Jean Lorenceau, which helps trick the brain into overcoming saccadic eye movement. The system uses a temporarily flickering screen to overcome saccades, which allows for the eyes to move smoothly across the surface as if they were tracking an object.

This advancement is important for several reasons. First, it allows individuals, whose only method of communication is via eye tracking technology, another way (other than typing) to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Not to mention the decreased training time and ease at which subjects can reach “writing” speeds of up to 30 words per minute. Secondly, because this discovery helps to smooth out the path of a user’s eyes, it can be applied to a variety of other eye tracking applications outside of the assistive technology realm, such as video gaming or more effective cursor control.

Lorenceau hopes to develop the technology to a point where the eyes are as capable as writing as a pencil and  is currently working on improving the technology and hopes to begin tests with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) patients as early as 2013.

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