Mind control: the latest assistive technology

The market for this device is for serious gamers so their avatar can replicate facial expressions, or if boredom sets in, the game could be made more compelling.

The thing that really excited me about this device is the price; it is being suggested that when it becomes publicly available later this year it will retail for around 300 US dollars. I assume it is this inexpensive because it is aimed at a very large potential market.

Its price and its functionality suggest to me that it could revolutionise the accessibility market. If you compare this to eye-gaze products or specialised mice or single switches the price is comparable and the functionality is significantly higher.

It is designed for the gaming market and because of its capability it will open up games and virtual worlds to many people with disabilities who cannot use the normal controls. To understand this issue see my article ‘Second Life is now too important not to be accessible’.

Read it all here.

Published on March 30, 2008

End of Features Teaser