NASA’s Collaboration with Eyegaze Inc. Revolutionizing Eye-tracking Technology for Communication and Mobility

The realm of technology has been a game-changer in various aspects of human life, particularly for individuals living with disabilities. One such technology that has revolutionized communication and mobility for people with limited mobility or speech impairments is eye-tracking technology. NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has played a pivotal role in making this technology more accessible and affordable through its collaboration with Eyegaze Inc.

The story of eye-tracking technology dates back to 1988 when the first model was built. However, the bulky and expensive nature of the system limited its accessibility. In 1998, NASA and Eyegaze entered a public-private partnership via Congressional funding to make the hardware smaller, more portable, and affordable. This collaboration resulted in the miniaturization and improvement of the company’s Eyegaze Edge system, which eliminated barriers to ownership of this life-changing technology.

Preethi Vaidyanathan, an engineer with Eyegaze, shared her insights on the collaboration with NASA. “Working with NASA, we were able to make the device less bulky,” she said. “Since then, we integrated the external components into a small camera.” The camera mounts above or below a standard computer screen and requires less than 15 seconds to calibrate to an individual’s gaze.

As personal electronic devices and internet access became commonplace, people living with disabilities wanted to do more than type. Eyegaze responded to this demand by integrating its technology with computers, mobile phones, and tablets. This integration enabled users to chat online, post to social media, send emails, text, or make phone calls. It also allowed users to control environmental settings using Amazon Echo and Google Home.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Eyegaze integrated communications programs such as Zoom and WhatsApp to help people connect with their family and friends. The company also added meditation apps, Window Swap, virtual museums, music streaming services, and online gaming communities to combat a sense of isolation.

Eyegaze Edge integrates with the Ability Drive application used with motorized mobility devices, enabling hands-free control of a wheelchair’s motion. This integration provides users with the freedom of movement, which is crucial for people with limited mobility.

However, there are numerous medical conditions that can lead to physical paralysis, making it impossible to speak. Well-publicized brain and spinal cord injuries in athletes have led to broader awareness, but there are other causes such as cerebral palsy, ALS, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and spinal muscular atrophy. These conditions can result in locked-in syndrome, which paralyzes all voluntary muscles except those that control eye movement. Eye-tracking software is a lifeline for patients, but even that can be impeded.

Eyegaze Edge measures several eye features, making it possible for the tracker to work even when less of the pupil is visible. The company employs clinical specialists who can troubleshoot issues that may prevent customers from using the system, eye conditions like cataracts, dry eyes, and eyelids that droop, partly covering the pupil.

The company now serves individuals in 44 countries, including nations in Southeast Asia and Africa. Adults, children as young as 18 months old, military veterans, and others can communicate using only their eyes. If only vertical eye movement is possible, Eyegaze Edge offers a special vertical keyboard screen. Pages of commonly used phrases communicate a statement with a single glance. Large, easy-to-use buttons allow patients to communicate directly with healthcare providers and caregivers for everyday needs.

Clinicians use Eyegaze Edge and teach their patients how to communicate using the technology. In some cases, this technology even allows people to share their final thoughts with family and friends.

NASA has a long history of transferring technology to the private sector. The agency’s Spinoff publication profiles NASA technologies that have transformed into commercial products and services, demonstrating the broader benefits of America’s investment in its space program. Spinoff is a publication of the Technology Transfer program in NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD).

For more information on how NASA brings space technology down to Earth, visit spinoff.nasa.gov.

In conclusion, NASA’s collaboration with Eyegaze Inc. has revolutionized eye-tracking technology, making it more accessible and affordable for people with disabilities. This technology has transformed the way people communicate and move, providing them with the freedom and independence they deserve. The story of NASA and Eyegaze is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in making a difference in people’s lives.