10
2010
Look, Ma! No Hands!
Have you ever heard of Nick Vujicic? No? Then you would have to google him up because this is an all-time inspiring man who have touched so many lives in the past that he is somewhat of an icon now. You see, Vujicic was born without arms and legs…which leaves him with his torso and (thankfully) with something of a limb he lovingly refers to as ‘chicken leg’.
It would take a lot of hopping around for people born without limbs if they wanted to get on the internet or chat with friends on MSN, don’t you think? Well, here’s a solution.
This is the world’s first EVER effort to bring a brain-friendly computer interface that allows for use of computer and the internet without a keyboard and mouse. All you have to do is think it, you will have it, apparently.
Anyway, the computer was initially designed and created for people suffering from communication-impairing conditions so that they can make use of a computer the way normal people can. It is called the Intendix and the company behind this is Guger Technologies.
Here, EEG-sensitive caps are in use whereby the caps measure brain activity focusing particularly on the way it reacts to what users see on screen. Basically, there is a grid moving along the computer screen. When the moving grid comes to the letter that the user wants typed out, there is a slight rise in brain activity and the computer types that out.
Yes, we are pretty sure that common people, with disability or not, will have a little bit of trouble using such a system in the beginning because we are not naturally THAT aware of the way our brain reacts to the things that we see or do. But with a little bit of practice (it is said that ten minutes practice is all it takes), users can definitely make use of this keyboard-less computer.
Over time and with consistent use and practice, users can type relatively fast, although not quite as fast as a normal person using his or her fingers. However, the price per unit is kinda lofty at the moment, selling for twelve grand per unit. The good news is that they are going to commercialize the technology so that maybe some years down the road, more people can afford such a computer.
Here’s the commercial.
