Kome Kami Switch

Imagine this scenario: closing both eyes for one second starts your iPod, while blinking again stops the playback. A wink with the right eye makes the machine skip to the next tune while with a wink of the left eye it goes back. Researchers at Japan’s Osaka University have developed such a system that will confuse you when a sexy girl winks at you in the street. Kome Kami Switch  (Japanese for, Temple Switch) easily differentiates a deliberate one-second wink from natural blinking.

The Kome Kami Switch, comprises a single-chip computer and a couple of infrared sensors that monitor the temple movements; and is small enough to be built into the side of a pair of eyeglasses. It is capable of operating television sets, air conditioners, room lighting and other household electronics. The system serves as “a third hand” for caregivers, motorbike drivers, rock-climbers, and most importantly, people with disabilities. The researchers hope the system will eventually be adapted to run cellphones, wheelchairs robots and most devices as “an ultimate remote control”.