A new EagleEyes project endeavors to provide those with limited voluntary movement the opportunity to communicate through the computer. The project involves developing customized software that visually recognizes patterns in movement, translating them into computer commands. Like EagleEyes and Camera Mouse, this new project allows those facing disabilities to communicate despite their physical limitations.

This project is part of a new National Science Foundation grant for “Pattern Discovery in Signed Language and Gestural Communication” that has been awarded to Boston University, with Boston College as a subcontractor. Boston University Professor Margrit Betke, former BC faculty member and co-inventor of the Camera Mouse, will head up the development of gesture recognition software for people with disabilities.

For this project EagleEyes is looking for people who are non-verbal and can make some voluntary repeatable gestures. If you or someone you know might be a candidate, please contact Prof. James Gips at 617-552-3981 (gips@bc.edu) or Dr. Philip DiMattia at 617-552-8424 (dimattia@bc.edu) for more information.