Eye tracking technology is enabling people with disabilities to lead independent lives

A self-made businessman, Vikraman runs multiple businesses in Trivandrum in printing, tours & travels, to name just a few. This September he will launch his dream project – a hotel near the airport.

Remarkable given that Vikraman, who is in his 60s, has motor neurone disease, which is incurable. He is bedridden, cannot speak and breathes with the support of a tracheostomy tube.

All this is happening thanks to Tobii Dynavox I -15+ series, an eye tracking technology that enables him to work and run his business.

From the day I got this device things have been more easy for me and I am back to my actions. It helps me for all type of communications like
meetings, mails and even with my family. I am now more independent – Vikraman, Businessman

Tobii Dynavox, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tobii AB, Sweden, whose India partner is WTMB.. It is the leading global provider of eye-tracking and gaze interaction-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.

These help improve the lives of people with disabilities by enabling them to communicate, control their environment and gain greater independence through their eyes.

How it works

Gaze interaction is a computer access method that allows disabled people to control their computer with their eyes. Quite like how the mouse works for a regular computer user.

All it needs is the movement of the eye, other muscles are not involved. This makes it an ideal solution for people with rehabilitative disabilities like paralysis, spinal cord injury & motor disabilities.

It has changed the life of not just Vikraman, but also the life of Ganga, a disabled child at Kolkata orphanage called Shishur Sevay. She is the first Tobii Dynavox user in India and the technology is enabling her to learn useful concepts.

Watch in Sign Language