Idea to Control Wheelchairs with Google Glass

Having computers being an integral part of our vision like a cyborg is a consistent part of a sci fi future. A future that may now be coming soon with Google Glass. Basically these are eyeglasses with transparent computer screens and a camera. Controls would be done with eye movements and verbal commands. Recently Google ran a promotional contest called #ifihadglass where they asked people to submit ideas on what Google Glass could do. One idea came from software engineer Steve McHugh. He suggested that the glasses could be used to control electric wheelchairs and identify paths and hazards.

Contest Idea
Here is what McHugh wrote in his idea submission:

#ifihadglass I would use the eye tracking technology described in US patent 8,235,529 to implement a Masters robotics lab project’s alternative mechanism for quadriplegic and other disabled persons to control their powered wheelchairs (start/stop, speed, turning) while displaying real-time feedback about their surroundings (dangers, obstacles, suggested routes).

Interactive Vision
From the pictures you can see what McHugh envisions what one would see through Google Glass while controlling a wheelchair. There are some basic speed controls and feedback on how fast the wheelchair is going. Hazards such as pot holes or objects in the way could recognized and warned to the user. If traveling on a sidewalk or other path, these could also be recognized so only hazards on the path are recognized.

Conclusion
Other controls such as directional control and horns could also added to the system. Again this is only an idea and Google has only begun to tinker with the possibilities of Google Glass. Though McHugh’s idea is a good one and hopefully Google will choose his idea to work on. For more information on Google Glass visit this website.