Have you heard of Camera Mouse? No, that's not it! Photo by Jesus Diaz @Gizmodo
It's an incredible free software that will let you access the computer by moving your head! How?, You might be asking yourself? Through the use of a web cam. Absolutely amazing! Check it out below!
Camera Mouse 2009 was developed by researchers at Boston College and Boston University. They created the program to help provide individuals with disabilities who couldn't use their hands, a way of accessing the computer. So for individuals with neurological disorders such as ALS, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury and Multiple Sclerosis, as well as many others, this program has the potential to open up a new world of possibilities.
All you need is Windows XP or Windows Vista, a web cam and the free software. They used the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 webcam but they say any webcam of good quality should work fine.
Bucky uses the Microsoft Lifecam 5000 and it works fine.
The software allows you to customize settings for easier access. The program does have a dwell feature that enables you to adjust the time until the mouse clicks as well as horizontal and vertical gain adjustments.
A 15 page Camera Mouse PDF Manual can be downloaded from their website that has step by step instructions and explains the settings and adjustments.
Not only does the website have the Camera Mouse software but has additional downloads for use with the Camera Mouse. See them listed under the video to the right.
There is an informative list of other links and programs that may be used with the camera mouse on their Download page.
Although this is a Windows only program, it is reported in their FAQ section that Camera Mouse does work on Mac's running Windows.
Camera Mouse will also work with AAC devices that are running on a Window's platform. You will need to install the webcam driver as well as the Camera Mouse software.
Mahalo to Boston College and Boston University for all their hard work and dedication to this project.
Additional programs can be downloaded from the Camera Mouse website:
Eagle Aliens - A simple fun space war program to practice mouse skills with the Camera Mouse. You can change the picture of the Alien as Bucky did here.
Eagle Paint - Very simple but reinforcing paint program that helps you learn control of the mouse cursor and be creative!
Staggered Speech - A on screen keyboard program with auditory feedback that breaks the alphabet up into 2 sections which allows for ease of use.
Midas Touch - An onscreen keyboard with full display of alphabet on one screen. There is auditory feedback and is created for individuals using the Camera Mouse that have pretty good accuracy with the cursor.
No, that's not it!
