Losing mobility due to illness or injury is more than just crippling, it can also cut you off from the technology many of us take for granted. Losing the ability to manipulate the keyboard and mouse that are so central to PC use can suddenly rob a person of the ability to work, to connect with family and friends, and enjoy the wealth of information and entertainment available online. Tobii Technology is helping recapture some of that lost independence with technologies that allow gazed-based interaction with a PC. The latest device, the PCEye Go, is smaller, cheaper, and more versatile than past implementations, allowing more people to use eye-tracking on a computer they already own.

PCMag first covered this technology in 2011, when Tobii partnered with Lenovo to develop a prototype laptop with built-in eye-tracking. The new device, the PCEye Go, instead works with any laptop via a plug-in peripheral. The most notable difference between the technology I saw then and the new PCEye Go is the dramatic reduction of size. The PCEye Go is small enough to slip into a pocket, and works well with any screen under 20 inches. Measuring only 7.2 inches long and about 1 inch wide, the PCEye Go is extremely portable, and only weighs 7 ounces—lighter than many desktop computer mice.

A small adhesive-backed magnetic mounting plate attaches the PCEye Go to the base of the PC display, which then plugs into a USB port. Unlike older iterations of Tobii's assistive eye-tracking device, the PCEye Go uses a single USB connection for power as well as data transfer, simplifying setup and reducing the cable clutter.

The technology behind Tobii's assistive devices is simple in concept, with two IR illuminators shining infrared light (invisible to the naked eye) on the user's face, which is then reflected by the cornea, the transparent film covering the pupil of the eye. This reflection is registered by a sensor—essentially a specialized camera—inside the PCEye Go. Onboard processing then calculates the position of each eye within three-dimensional space, allowing tracking not only of the eyes themselves, but the direction of gaze. The associated software offers some simple calibration—achieved by following a moving dot around on the screen.

In order to offer the numerous features that are so intuitive when using a keyboard and mouse, the PCEye software has a menu of action icons along the right edge of the screen, letting the user glance to one of the icons to trigger the specific action. Actions include "Gaze Clarification" which offers momentary magnification to let you specify details, such as when selecting a specific link from a text-filled webpage; "Auto scroll" which tracks your progress while you read or glance at the screen, scrolling as you reach the bottom, or back up as you go back to the top; separate actions for left-click, double-click, and right-click; and an onscreen keyboard.

The keyboard is similar to the onscreen keyboard found on tablets and smartphones, but uses eye tracking to select keys according to the "dwell point," where your gaze lingers for a moment. The keyboard also opens up an array of shortcuts—in addition to typing letters, numbers, and symbols, the keyboard also offers action quick keys, letting the user jump directly to specific actions such as opening the Web browser, email client, and more.

Tobii offers more than just the ability to browse the Web and check email, though. Additional software offers eye-controlled text input for vocal output, providing a voice for those too impaired for clear speech, and integration with home control software, letting users adjust thermostat settings, change TV channels, and an array of other home automation features, providing users with greater independence in their daily lives.

Designed primarily as an assistive device for the handicapped, particularly those with limited motor-function due to ALS, paralysis, and stroke, Tobii's PCEye Go lets users interact with a PC using their eyes to perform many of the functions that would normally require a keyboard and mouse. But the uses for gaze-based interaction with PCs is finding applications in other realms as well, with applications in hospitals and other environments where a PC may be useful, but interrupting an involved task—like surgery—to work with a keyboard and mouse is impractical.

At present, the technology is expensive, with the PCEye Go selling for $3,900, and a larger version for desktops and larger monitors, the PCEye Pro, which sells for $4,200. Included with the device is all of the necessary software, along with training on device use, toll-free tech support, and assistance in setting up the software for additional applications. Families and caretakers concerned that the expense may be prohibitive should still contact Tobii if interested in the product, as Medicare, insurance, and workers' compensation plans can often ameliorate the cost. Tobii also has free guides available to help you through the funding process, and rental plans that reduce the out-of-pocket expense.

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