A French scientist, Jean Lorenceau, who was studying optical illusions discovered a way that people can write with their eyes in cursive script. A gadget like this is brand new because previous researchers always found that the human eye makes too many involuntary eye movements in response to its surroundings. Lorenceau found that an optical illusion makes it possible to control a device like this with your eye.
The Paris researcher said, “It is like drawing with a pencil, but without a tip.” Lorenceau is director of research at the French National Center for Scientific Research, who conducted the study at the University of Pierre and Marie Curie in Paris. The remarkable thing about this technology is that it’s based on a visual illusion that enables the eyes to follow smooth and clear trajectories onto a computer screen.
The average person can learn how to write their name in about a 90 minute training session. Typically, a trained user can write 20-30 characters per minute. The unique aspect of this eye movement system is that it allows the user to truly write freely with their eyes. People can not only write letters, but also numbers, words and drawings.
There is no specified timeline on when this product will be commercially available to the public. This system could greatly improve how people who are paralyzed communicate.
You can find more information about this innovation on Mashable, The Wall Street Journal, Science Daily and other news sources.