Samsung's Eyecan+ helps people with disabilities interact with computers though eye tracking

Himanshu Arora

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More than a couple of years after unveiling Eyecan, a special glasses mounted solution that worked as a mouse replacement, Samsung has introduced Eyecan+, a device that allows people with disabilities to type, browse the web, and perform other functions through the movement of their eyes.

Unlike its predecessor, Eyecan+ does not require to wear any device -- a tracker sits below the monitor and works by wirelessly calibrating with the user's eye.

The device supports 18 commands, including “copy,” “paste,” and “select all,” as well as “drag and drop,” “scroll,” and “zoom in.” In addition, custom commands can also be created to include existing keystroke commands, such as “close program” (“Alt+F4”) and “print” (“Ctrl+P”).

While users are not required to be in a specific posture, as the device can be used while seated or lying down, they need to be situated between 60cm and 70cm from the monitor.

“Eyecan+ is the result of a voluntary project initiated by our engineers, and reflects their passion and commitment to engage more people in our community,” said SiJeong Cho, Vice President of Community Relations at Samsung Electronics.

Samsung currently has no plans to commercialize Eyecan+, however, the South Korean company says it will manufacture a limited quantity to donate to charity organizations, and will also open source the technology as well as design of the eye mouse, a move aimed at helping companies and organizations that wish to commercialize the device.

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