The Eyecan+, the second generation of Samsung's Eyecan technology that lets people with a handicap navigate computer interfaces using only their eyes, will soon be made open source.
Making Eyecan+ open source will allow other companies to manufacture and sell devices utilizing the technology, so that more people with disability will be able to use it.
The Eyecan+ drops the eye-tracking glasses used in the first version of the technology. The glasses are not replaced with any other device, which makes it even easier for handicapped people to take advatange of the technology to navigate computer screens.
The Eyecan+ has been transformed into a portable box that is placed below the monitor of the computer. The technology is operated wirelessly through the movement of the user's eyes and blinking.
Before using the device, it will have to be calibrated to the specific characteristics of the user's eyes. However, once calibrated, the Eyecan+ can be operated from any position within two feet.
The researchers from Samsung's R&D department were able to develop Eyecan+ through the help of Hyung-Jin Shin, a graduate student of computer science who was born with the condition known as spinal muscular atrophy. Shin is only able to move his eyes and mouth.
Shin was also part of the team that worked on the first version of the Eyecan technology, which was produced back in 2012.
The original Eyecan allowed its users to input several computer commands, including left clicking, right clicking and double clicking, using special eyewear that tracks the movements of their eyes. Other computer commands could be input by blinking.
The second version of the Eyecan eliminates the special eyewear and provides the users with a pop-up menu that leads to 18 commands. The commands in the menu can also be customized depending on the needs of the user.
"The calibration sensitivity and overall user experience of Eyecan+ have been significantly upgraded," Samsung wrote in its Tomorrow blog.
Samsung has also decided to make Eyecan+ open source rather than commercialize it. The move will open up the details of the technology to all other companies. Samsung, however, said that it is planning to produce a limited number of Eyecan+ devices to serve as donations to select charity groups.
"Eyecan+ is the result of a voluntary project initiated by our engineers, and reflects their passion and commitment to engage more people in our community," said Si-Jeong Cho, Samsung's vice president of community relations.
