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Towards Regaining Mobility Through Virtual Presence for Patients with Locked-in Syndrome

Authors:
Simone Eidam
Jens Garstka
Gabriele Peters

Keywords: Biomedical communication; Human computer interaction; Eye tracking

Abstract:
The emergent technology of virtual presence systems opens up new possibilities for locked-in syndrome patients to regain mobility and interaction with their familiar environment. The classic locked-in syndrome is a state of paralysis of all four limbs while retaining full consciousness. Likewise, there is a paralysis of the vocal tract and respiration. Thus, the central problem consists in controlling a system only by eyes. In this paper, we present a prototype of a communication interface for patients with locked-in syndrome. The system allows the localization and identification of objects in a view of the local environment with the help of an eye tracking device. The selected objects can be used to express needs or to interact with the environment in a direct way (e.g., to switch the lights of the room on or off). The long term goal of the system is to give locked-in syndrome patients a larger flexibility and a new degree of freedom.

Pages: 120 to 123

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2016

Publication date: March 20, 2016

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4197

ISBN: 978-1-61208-462-6

Location: Rome, Italy

Dates: from March 20, 2016 to March 24, 2016