Control WoW with your eyes

by Eliah Hecht May 6th 2008 at 1:00PM

Adding one to the list of things I've never thought of that are actually pretty cool, scientists at De Montfort University in the UK have developed a way to control WoW with your eyes. The system uses existing LED eye-tracking devices, and essentially the cursor just goes where you look. Looking offscreen in various directions can trigger different modes (for combat or travel, for instance). The intention behind this project is to help people with disabilities that prevent them from using traditional input devices. So far, judging by the video, the interface is not up to par with clicking or key-pressing, but I think it does have potential for situations where it's required. The research team hopes to begin trials next year.

[via Wonderland]

Tags: accessibility, eye-tracking, input, input-devices, research, science, tweet-this

Filed under: News items, Hardware

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

MVP Schwick May 6th 2008 1:11PM

I've seen and tried this myself at Cebit 2008 in Germany. They didn't have a big box like that though.

Also yes, it did work very well, weird.. but very well. Specially handy for handicapped people who can't move that great.

VIrusz May 6th 2008 1:31PM

HOLY SH*T THIS IS AWESOME!

Dotixi May 6th 2008 1:57PM

Way less cool than controling the game with your brain...plus he still had to click which makes it kinda crappy. If i had no hands i would still be screwed.

PeeWee May 6th 2008 2:01PM

Add a tube to blow into for clicking, or a foot pedal, or something else. Profit!

cvpuck May 6th 2008 2:05PM

As if the world wasnt fat enough... now we can play games without moving at all!!!! or while enjoying a nice hamburger.

Garter89 May 6th 2008 6:38PM

I already do the latter.

Saryel May 6th 2008 2:06PM

It's gonna be hell trying to explain why your cursor keeps going to that guy's ass though.

Silverrealm May 6th 2008 3:32PM

LOLS!

Adorable1 May 6th 2008 2:21PM

How would this work for people who are cross eyed?

Tariff May 6th 2008 5:59PM

That's why it's calibrated before the game starts.

mattarin May 6th 2008 2:40PM

This has got to ruin your eye sight from constant staring and squinting. I want a device that will be planted in my brain that allows me access WoW during boring college lectures or something that will put me inside my character like a virtual reality helmet.

imparush May 7th 2008 9:32AM

then make one;P

Nick S May 6th 2008 3:11PM

the keyboard turner is no longer at the bottom of the WoW input food chain!

Lichesos May 6th 2008 3:12PM

I remember playing with this technology 5 or so years ago. This technology is not new, however, the application is somewhat novel.

Silverrealm May 6th 2008 3:31PM

It's still cool!!!

Zumwalah May 7th 2008 9:46AM

seems like a terrible idea IMO. my eyes allready get strained playing wow, just from looking at the screen, imagine now having to constantly me moving your eyeballs. PVP would basically be impossible with this. it took like 4 attempts to target the wolf...

very cool idea, and i see the usefulness regarding people with bad mobility. but as with the xbox controller, seems like a terrible idea for wow.

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