We are so often amazed by people who rise above suffering, and inspire others through their affliction, like graphic artist, Tony Quan. He is a man stricken with Lou Gehrig’s disease who, although paralyzed, is thankful that he can still move his eyes -- by using a device called the EyeWriter, he is able to draw with his eyes.
The images can be uploaded to Tony’s device to be downloaded and projected on buildings and surfaces all over the world. It's all accomplished from a low-cost DIY apparatus consisting of a PS3 camera connected to glasses with open source software telling it what to do!
This was made possible for Tony and others with ALS through efforts of the team from Free Art and Technology (FAT), OpenFrameworks, the Graffiti Research Lab, and The Ebeling Group who founded the EyeWriter project and created the EyeWriter.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Eye Movement Technology
- EyeWriter technology has opened new possibilities for those who are paralyzed and cannot move their hands, highlighting the opportunity for further development into other applications.
- Accessible Art
- The EyeWriter has made it possible for those who are paralyzed to create and share their art to a wider audience, paving the way for new avenues for artistic expression.
- DIY Assistive Devices
- The low-cost and open-source nature of the EyeWriter has shown the potential for creating affordable and accessible assistive devices to improve the lives of those with disabilities.
Where This Applies
- Assistive Technology
- The EyeWriter showcases the potential for assistive technology to enhance the quality of life for those with disabilities, particularly in terms of artistic expression.
- Augmented Reality
- The EyeWriter's ability to project art onto real-world surfaces demonstrates the potential for augmented reality to merge digital and physical experiences through artistic expression.
- DIY Technology
- The EyeWriter highlights the potential for DIY technology to democratize access, particularly in creating affordable and accessible devices for those with disabilities.
