Gaze-Based Communication

A form of augmentative and alternative communication that uses eye movement tracking to enable people with severe motor and speech impairments to select words, phrases, symbols, or commands on a screen. Users make selections by fixating their gaze on a target for a set dwell time or by looking in specific directions. Gaze-based communication systems range from expensive dedicated hardware (e.g., Tobii PCEye, costing £2000+) to free smartphone applications (e.g., Look to Speak) that use the device's front camera. The technology benefits people with conditions like cerebral palsy, ALS, and spinal cord injuries who retain purposeful eye movement control.