Friday, 12 October 2007

Washington University Researchers Develop 'Vocal Joystick'

Washington University researchers have come out with computer software—Vocal Joystick—for the disabled that can control a cursor using sounds....

Washington University researchers have come out with computer software—Vocal Joystick—for the disabled that can control a cursor using sounds.

Words like "ah," "ee" and "oo" control the direction while a "k" and ‘ch’sound is as good as clicking a mouse button.

"There are many people who have perfect use of their voice who don't have use of their hands and arms," said Jeffrey Bilmes, an associate professor of electrical engineering, in a statement. "I think there are several reasons why Vocal Joystick might be a better approach, or at least a viable alternative, to brain-computer interfaces."

The device has been tested on spinal cord patients. The Vocal Joystick requires only a microphone and a computer with a normal sound card.

The tool can be used for Web browsing, as well as for playing video games and even drawing on a screen.