EagleEyes
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What is EagleEyes?
EagleEyes is an innovative technology developed at Boston College that enables communication and learning primarily with individuals who have congenital severe special needs. These individuals are most often non-verbal, paralyzed, and at most have a "Yes/No" method of communicating with those around them.
How Does it Work?
Basically, the mouse pointer follows the location that the user is looking at on the screen. The eyes replace the mouse. Selection is made by looking at a small area of the screen for a short period of time, which causes a mouse click. Usable with any commercial software, EagleEyes is a general mouse replacement that is based on measuring a user's EOG or electro-oculographic potential. The EOG is a small electrical potential which indicates the position of the eye relative to the head. Surface electrodes are placed on the user's head, above and below one eye, and on each side of the head to the left and right of the eyes. The five electrodes are connected to a small battery-powered electrophysiological amplifier which is connected to a computer. A program in the computer translates the signals received from the electrodes into the position of the mouse pointer on the screen. When the user moves his or her eyes, the mouse pointer moves.
What has been Accomplished?
There are currently 77 EagleEyes systems in use across the country and three international locations. They are also located in individual homes as well as schools and organizations.
EagleEyes training is facilitated by the Opportunity Foundation of America and the Boston College Campus School.
The EagleEyes technology is manufactured by Sanmina-SCI in West Valley City, Utah and Plastic Fabricating in Salt Lake City. A donation of $1,200.00 to the Foundation is requested to cover manufacturing cost of each EagleEyes system.
EagleEyes systems are currently being used in the following locations:
- Boston College-Chestnut Hill, MA
- Brigham Young University-Provo, UT
- Weber School District-Ogden, UT
- Ogden School District-Ogden, UT
- Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind-UT
- Jordan Valley School-Midvale, UT
- Kauri Sue Hamilton School-Riverton, UT
- Oakridge School-Springville, UT
- Keller Williams Realty-SLC & Ogden, UT
- Trinity Services-Joilet, IL
- Educational Service Center-San Antonio, TX
- School for the Divine Child-Cork, Ireland
- Hogan Regional Center-Hathorne, MA
- Fall River School-Fall River, MA
- Shore Educational Collaborative
- Box Elder School District Utah
What is the Future for EagleEyes?
There are thousands of children and adults in the US and UK who could benefit from EagleEyes. Expanding the distribution of this great technology to meet the need is dependent upon generous personal donations and grants from private foundations.