Blog 6 - Resources for the disabled.

One of my favorite hardware technologies is the use of a neural net to communicate with a computer or other hardware. The original technology was a network of senors that had to be in contact with the skin and could read brainwaves. The patient would then train the computer to interact with his/her brain by thinking of moving his or her arm up or down. The computer would translate this into the mouse or cursor moving up or down.

Now they have newly developed hardware that actually uses a chip attached to the brain which sends information down a cable to a small proccesor. This information can be used to not only control a computer but to also control robotic hands and other prosthetics.

The future of this technology is astounding! Since this is pretty cutting edge stuff it hasn't gotten out on the market yet.

Another interesting technology that is still fairly new is the eyeball tracking mouse. This system usually uses a contact lens with sensors in it to tell the computer where a person is looking. This means that as a person looks at the screen the pointer will go where their eye goes. Usually when they blink it translates to a click. This is great for disabled people who don't have the use of theirs hands or arms. It is also much less intrusive than the above mentioned technology.