Eyedrivomatic was developed by Joyce after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2008. It is a combination of 3D printed parts and off-the-shelf hardware and software that is thought to be a world first. It works by linking existing Eyegaze software, used to control computers using eye movement, to a controller that operates the joystick that controls the wheelchair.
Because most wheelchair users don’t own their wheelchairs permanent modifications cannot be made, so Joyce had to make the system non-invasive, meaning it can be attached and detached from the wheelchair easily. The system connects to the existing monitor that allows speech and attaches to the joystick with velcro.
The aim for Joyce is not for mass production, as the number of people who would benefit from it is relatively small. Rather, he has made the plans and software available for free online for anyone to use. His Indiegogo site claims that “a non-technical person, without special skills or tools, could build one themselves for under £100.”
Hackaday’s Mike Szczys said: “You have built something incredible whose purpose is to make people’s lives better, and you’ve made it both accessible and replicable. This deserves to be celebrated.”
