I found an article today that interests me. It is on a man driving his wheelchair with the power of his mind. You might scoff and say "No Way!" but it is true and I have been researching what researchers are doing with this latent energy for the past 6 or 8 months. To be honest, I have been working and laying out the plans in my head to use EEG signals to trigger an on/off switch and interface it with a Don Johnson Interface Pro USB so the disabled can operate a mouse click with their thought - or EEG hz signals. I keep seeing articles where scientists are getting closer to developing prosthetic limbs that are activated through this type of technology. My idea has already been patented as an on/off switch by the University of Sydney - but NO ONE in the AT market has anything like this available. The complex prosthetics are way beyond my range of development, but a simple mouse tool wouldn't be. In fact, there are train sets and race car sets being operated by neurofeedback clinics through EEG frequencies for motivation and training of children with ADD disorders.
I am in the process of developing a product that incorporates postive mental traits and goal setting for the disabled with a tech package for helping them be more self-sufficient. A portion of proceeds from this project, when it is launched, will help to support AT equipment in our region through the "No Limits to Learning Foundation". I have a board of 2 specialists from the LaGrande/ Baker region and 3 specialists from the Umatilla/ Morrow County region committed to help. They represent special education, occupational and physical therapy, speech pathology and autism. The foundation will also support the research needed to make an EEG interface for the mouse a reality.
As things get closer to a launch date for the site and the foundation I will let you know. Please read this fascinating article and remember that there are "No Limits to Learning" and "No Limits to Life" (the name of the new site when it launches).
I will not be posting again until next week. Until then, have a great weekend!
Lon
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1 comment:
This made me think of the Open EEG project. Their stuff seems to be about EEGs for low-cost easy-to-make biofeedback stuff, but the technology would be similar or the same wouldn't it? It's something I thought you might not be aware of, anyway.
I just came across your two blogs after Brian Friedlander posted about you - very interesting. I've added them to my list of things to read about, and Taylor's story about the Tango AAC for Christmas was amazing. Thank you.
Ricky Buchanan
ATMac - http://atmac.org/ - Assistive Technology for Mac OS X Users
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