Hands-Free Software Helps Disbabled Computer Users

"Many people who can't use a mouse that we take for granted, or most of us do will be able to finally do that not just because it works but also because its affordable," said CEO of Grinbath, Brian Still.

What started out as needing a piece of technology to research quickly turned into something much more for Brian Still, Nathan Jahnke and most importantly Ryan.

Before EyeGuide Assist 13 year old Ryan used to use a computer with his chin.

Now, Ryan has an EyeGudie Assist and with his eye movement and voice he is able to use a computer without his chin.

            Still said according to statistics 23 million Americans have limited or no use of their hands

"Now I think we've reached a point to where I think we're actually solving things for people," he said.

            Still said technology similar to EyeGuide Assist cost around $10,000 but that's not the case for EyeGuide Assist.

            "If you build it cheap and find out it works the first thought you have is 'I wonder if we could make this so that other people could buy this and use it too,'" said Still.

After putting on the EyeGuide Assist head band, look into the camera which scans the users eye making it easy to use a computer hands free.

            "As the pupil moves, it moves the cursor on the screen along with the pupil," said Jahnke, "so you are actually controlling the cursor with the movement of your eye."

            Jahnke the chief scientist at Grinbath said he can't explain what he feels when he sees something he has invented changing a life.

"I've been doing this for over two years now and so I feel like it just the most boring thing ever," he said, "like 'Oh no, not eye tracking again.'"

But he said when he saw Ryan with the equipment it was a feeling he couldn't explain.

"I thought 'Wow, I had something to do with that,'" Jahnke said.

            It took Still and Jahnke two years to complete the EyeGuide Assist.

            They just started selling the software and said future upgrades will be free because they don't believe people should buy something that has to be fixed.

            For Ryan's full story visit www.grinbath.com.