New device uses facial movements to change channels

Monday, 09 March 2009 11:09

A prototype device that uses facial movements as diverse as winking, screwing up your eyes or sticking out your tongue, has been developed in Japan that could have serious applications for disabled users that are unable to manipulate the fingertip controls of devices such as iPods, set-top boxes or other media equipment. 

The “Mimi” (or Ear) Switch as it is known, can also store and interpret data which could lead it to reacting to its user as it monitors the movement of the face in everyday life.  For example, if it judged that you weren’t smiling enough it might play a happy song to cheer you up. 

The device has been developed by Osaka University’s Graduate School of Engineering Science in western Japan.

For more information:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/digital-life/mp3-players/articles/nudge-and-wink-may-turn-on-all-your-gadgets/2009/03/09/1236447098401.html