Team designs tablet so patients can communicate by only blinking the eye

The team invented a fibreglass design that relies on the patient, who can’t speak or write, to communicate by only blinking an eye. They produced prototypes of this hand-held battery-powered tablet and gave them to other patients who were at Megumi’s hospital.

After feedback from these patients, some modifications were made.

The device can be used by people who struggle with the following: strokes, motor-loss, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral syndrome, motor neurone disease, cerebral palsy and speech impairment.

"While there are a number of other communication systems using blinking eye technology, this one is different because it's simple and does not need calibrating and can be used by those in a wheelchair. The tablet uses eye movement and blinking as the method to select letters, similar to a mobile phone keypad, which are displayed on the integral screen.
"Because of its construction, it's light and very easy to use and enables the patient a means of communication with their carer and requires minimal learning. It's an invention that is aimed at rapid and frequent use. Additional vocabulary can be loaded via a Bluetooth connection, which can incorporate a number of useful phrases”, Lyndon explained.

MegaBee™ is available in several languages and can be bought online.

Adapted from: https://bit.ly/2Kp9K6z

More info: http://www.megabee.net/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akgu9qyP1ew