Improving on pricey technology, the techies of the Graffiti Research Lab have developed a $50 DYI system: Mounted on a regular pair of eyeglasses, EyeWriter tracks eye movement, rendering digital images. Recently, GLR got its due with EyeWriter winning Design of the Year in Art Award.
Diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2003, graffiti artist Tony Quan is able to make art again. Though not nearly as fast as drawing or using spray paint, this is a great alternative to similar commercial technology that costs up to $15K. Zach Lieberman explains:
He can plot points. And from plotting points, create letters. And from creating letters, create words. And then color the words, shade the words, extrude them in 3-D, add different features.
The lab aims to bring hope of reestablishing communication and allowing artistic expression for people with locked-in syndrome.
The design is so nifty in fact, that you can make your own EyeWriter. Check out this guy in Mumbai clobbering one together with scavenged parts. |NPR|
Photo: NPR
