OptiKey

People who have motor and speech limitations might have difficulties in using a PC in their everyday life. Of course, there are software solutions that offer such capabilities, but most of them could be quite complex or simply not affordable for most users. OptiKey was created in order to provide people with an accessible and intuitive assistive on-screen keyboard, which will allow them to control their keyboard and mouse using speech, eye-tracking devices or just their webcams.

The application comes packed with an on-screen keyboard that serves as the interface through which users interact with their PCs. Featuring a standard keyboard layout for the letters, it also offers multiple quick access features for enabling speech or mouse control and toggling numbers or symbols.

Using the keyboard is very intuitive and users can point their mouse cursor over the keys or buttons, physically or by using eye-tracking devices that map their eyesight position in relation to their screens. Once the mouse cursor is paused over a preferred key, a small timer icon confirms the selection after a short period of time.

One of the greatest advantages OptiKey offers is the fact that it enables people to achieve control of their PCs using just a simple webcam, this way avoiding expensive eye-tracking devices. When used in combination with utilities that track eye movement through a webcam, such as Enable Viacam or Camera Mouse, OptiKey will allow one to reposition the mouse cursor through gestures or eye movement.

The benefits of being able to control the PC with only eye movements or gestures are numerous and people who suffer from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Motor Neuron Disease will be greatly aided in using their PCs. Provided that users are willing to spend some time calibrating the eye-tracking software, they will be able to achieve excellent cursor precision when using OptiKey.

This application addresses those who require an easy-to-use and intuitive tool for controlling their PCs without any physical interaction with the mouse or keyboard. It will offer them an excellent on-screen assistive keyboard, which can be controlled by moving the mouse over the preferred keys, speaking into a microphone or using eye-tracking devices. OptiKey also enables people to control their PCs by using just webcams and eye-tracking utilities, this way avoiding expensive and complicated eye-tracking devices.