KOCHI: In this tech-savvy era, network of smart devices, wearables and sensors always play a major role in the way we live. And it’s an age where everything we wear can be possibly transformed into a gadget. Here comes a wearable that can control devices with just a wink or two. It’s ‘E Winker,’ a smart eye spectacle developed by a group of techies of Albertian Institute of Science and Technology (AISAT), Kalamassery.
The brainchild of Mohammed Yasir, Vinay Sankar and Antony Thejewel, ‘E Winker’ can do simple tasks like switching on of TV, lights and fans with just the blink of an eye.
Elaborating on the project, Mohammed says, “This gadget makes use of an infrared sensor to sense the eye blink and then controls any electrical device based on the blink. Another feature is that the gadget can be connected up to 10 devices.”
“There are various combinations of eye blinks which can be used to switch on and off various devices. The gadget uses special e-timer hardware to detect false or natural blinks and identify them. A key feature that makes the gadget unique is its low cost, low power consumption hardware and the user friendly control,” says Vinay.
“The sensor of the gadget is mounted on a spectacle and is built with a wireless technology to link to the devices. This allows hassle-free operation and use. The end user need not use any other gadget or remote to switch on or off the devices. Just wear the spectacle and start blinking,” says Antony.
In their mission to develop the gadget, the help from their guides - Arunkant A Jose and Naibin George of Department of Electronics and Communication - was crucial.
For bed-ridden patients
The device will be of utmost use to bed-ridden patients. “They often require the aid of a caretaker to do simple tasks like switching on and off of lights, fans and TV. But this device will lend them a helping hand. We are planning to make tie-ups with major hospitals to commercialise the product,” says Arunkant.
“The device is designed in a user-friendly manner and all efforts have been taken to keep the budget minimal,” says Naibin.
Though a mini project work of the sixth semester electronics and communication students of AISAT, the gadget is sure to find many applications in the ever-increasing consumer wearable market.