Tobii Working On A TV That Runs On Eye-Gaze Technology

I’ve been hearing of the firm Tobii for years. They originally developed their products to help disabled people control computers, and see themselves as leaders in AAC and assistive technology devices and solutions.

However, now, according to the BBC, they are working on putting their technology to all kinds of commercial products which could be used and enjoyed by everyone.

In particular, Gaze TV, which was recently unveiled at a trade show in Berlin.

As someone who always welcomes new ways to make everything accessible to disabled people, I find this a very exciting idea.

It would be very useful for people with limited mobility, who struggle to walk a few steps to pick up a remote control to change the channel on today’s TVs.

However, it would be even more useful for the group of disabled people at which Tobii technology was originally aimed. Wheelchair users, particularly those without hand movements, for who eye movements and blinking are their only form of communication, and in this case, independence.

Imagine being a disabled person unable to use a remote control independently. Today, you have two choices. You either watch what everyone else is watching, even if that means being bored out of your mind, or you wait for someone to be in the room to change the channel for you.

But what if you are alone in a room, the programme you were watching with interest has finished, and you can’t communicate this to anyone? Today, you have no way of changing the channel, or even turning the TV off.

The finished Gaze TV seems like it would solve the problem of boredom. It would also allow disabled people to watch TV, not just independently based on choice and taste, but also independently  in the more literal sense- sitting in a room by themselves. This would allow carers some time to themselves, knowing that the person they care for is enjoying themselves safely.

Those of us lucky enough to physically be able to use a remote control have been channel surfing and changing volumes at will for years. It’s about time people with severe physical disabilities were given this simple pleasure. I send sincere thanks to Tobii and Haier, the people behind the hardware, for thinking up this idea.

I look forward to being able to watch TV with my severely disabled friends one day- and being able to watch them control the channel and the volume in the blink of an eye!