Tobii Unveils Ultraportable Computer-Access Peripheral, Bringing Gaze Interaction to Standard Laptops and Computers

 

Today Tobii announced the release of the next-generation Tobii PCEye eye trackers. The Tobii PCEye Go and PCEye Pro bring gaze interaction to standard laptops and computers, allowing individuals with communication and rehabilitative disabilities to control all the functions of their computer using only their eyes.

The Tobii PCEye Go and PCEye Pro are peripheral eye trackers that connect to standard laptops and desktop computers through a single USB connection, allowing users to navigate and control the computer with only the movement of their eyes.

The PCEye provides users who suffer from Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), stroke, MND, spinal cord injuries, Rett syndrome or cerebral palsy access to the full suite of computer applications. With the PCEye, users can surf the Web; play games; use environmental controls; connect with friends via email, Skype and social networks; and even work with spreadsheets and create documents.

 

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“With the PCEye and Gaze Interaction, individuals with disabilities are no longer confined to a controlled computer environment; instead, they can enjoy the full freedom and access of a standard PC,” said Oscar Werner, executive vice president of assistive technology at Tobii. “We give individuals new ways to connect with others, make their voices heard, stay informed, and live more fulfilled, independent lives. We even give them the opportunity to continue employment.”

Extremely portable
The PCEye comes in two sizes. The smaller Tobii PCEye Go is primarily meant for laptop use and smaller desktop screens. The larger PCEye Pro is optimized for those working with bigger screens.
Both easily attach to and detach from the desktop or laptop using magnetic mounting plates and a USB connection. This makes it easy to take the PCEye along at all times: to school, to work and back home.

Relaxed and almost pixel-precise computer access
The PCEye comes with the Tobii Gaze Selection software, which makes it easy to control the computer and significantly reduces the risk of unwanted clicks, giving the user more relaxed, almost pixel-precise computer access. To write texts, messages or URLs, users can use the on-screen keyboard that is built into Gaze Selection or any of the keyboards that come with the optional Tobii Communicator.

“We’ve listened to our users saying they want more portability and the ability to access modern computer apps and programs with ease,” said Tara Rudnicki, president of Tobii ATI. “With the PCEye, our users are able to advance in the computing age with equal, or even superior, ability.”

Availability
The PCEye Go is currently available for purchase. The Tobii PCEye Pro will be available later in 2013.

Additional resources

To learn more about Tobii PCEye Go and Pro, please visit www.tobii.com/pceye, contact sales@tobiiati.com or call 1-800-793-9227 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-793-9227 
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Click here to see Tobii assistive technology devices in action.

About Tobii Technology
Tobii Technology is the global market leader in eye tracking and gaze interaction. Our products are widely used within scientific research and in commercial market research and usability studies, as well as by people with disabilities as a means to communicate and to access and control their computers. Today Tobii contributes with a wide range of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) products. www.tobii.com
About Tobii ATI
Tobii Assistive Technology Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tobii Technology. For nearly two decades, Tobii ATI has been helping men, women and children with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), muscular dystrophy and spinal cord injury lead fuller, richer lives. Through its total commitment to serving its customers — individuals, families, doctors, therapists, schools and rehabilitation centers — Tobii ATI has developed a reputation as an innovative and caring industry thought leader that continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible to deliver the most advanced, effective and empowering communications tools available for a wide array of disabled communities through award-winning eye-tracking and gaze-controlled hardware and software. Tobii is the global leader in eye-tracking and gaze interaction. For more information, please visit www.tobiiati.com.

A PALS Perspective: How My Assistive Technology Changed My Life

My name is Gregory Telthorster and I am a person living with ALS. Most of my adult life I had been a teacher of art and technology at a local middle school. I also had been a practicing artist, oil painting being my medium. As my disease progressed I lost the use of all of my extremities and with it the ability to do anything utilizing my fine motor skills (painting, drawing, typing, etc.). As my ability to manipulate a mouse became a greater struggle, I knew I had to find some assistive technology that would allow me to use my computer as both a communication tool and graphic tool. After visiting the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Lending Library (Temple University), where I tried an assortment of assistive equipment, I found a tool that fit my needs perfectly. It is called a Jouse2 (http://www.jouse.com/). The Jouse2 is an advanced joystick-operated USB mouse that is controlled with your mouth. Just move the joystick with your mouth, cheek, chin or tongue to shift the mouse cursor wherever you want. You can perform right-click, left-click and double-click actions with the sip and puff switches built into the Jouse2.

With the Jouse2 I am able to use my computer "hands-free". In combination with voice recognition software (Nuance Dragon Dictate) the Jouse2 gives me the freedom to use many software programs with precision. I have created greeting cards, coffee-table art books, videos, multiple graphic designs and logos, multimedia presentations and edited photographs with similar ease as I had done when I had full utilization of my hands.

Our daughter, Jessica, was married this past summer. With the help of my assistive technology device, I was able to help with the design of the wedding program and invitations. For the rehearsal dinner, using my Jouse2, I put together a movie complete with scanned in photos, digital photos, old VHS family movies, music and voiceovers. Using software programs like Adobe Photoshop I was able to create our family holiday greeting card. Using book-publishing software I gathered digital images of my art to create a coffee table sized book of my artwork. For this year‟s Super Bowl I created a T-shirt logo that was professionally printed. The joy that this adaptive equipment has brought me is immeasurable! It continues to allow me to be communicative, creative and independent.