One of the first things I think about when contemplating what life would be like were I to suffer limb amputation or become paralyzed is that I would no longer be able to play video games. It’s a ridiculously geeky and irrational fear, to be sure, but, well, there it is.
Turns out I need worry no longer. A DIY project has surfaced online that lets folks with a little technical know-how create their own ocular (i.e. no hands necessary) controller for Super Mario Bros.
It was designed by Waterloo Labs, a group of engineers employed by Texas-based virtual instrumentation maker National Instruments who have created their own web series of tech-themed do-it-yourself shows. Previous episodes demonstrate how to control a car with an iPhone and shoot enemies in Half Life using a real gun and some accelerometers (seriously—don’t mess with Texas gamers).
The concept is surprisingly simple. As the video explains, our eyeballs are polarized (neurons on the retina give the front sides of our peepers a strong positive charge). Set up electrodes around the socket to detect our orbs’ electrical currents and you can make Mario jump, duck, and run by looking up, down, and from side to side.
Check out the video below.
Of course, being forced to look away from the screen to control character movements isn’t exactly conducive to precision. However, you’ll note that some of the testers move their heads left and right rather than their eyes so that they can continually view the screen. I’m surprised none of them seem to have thought to move their heads up and down while keeping their eyes focused on the screen to jump and duck. If, for example, you lowered your chin while keeping your eyes on the screen it ought to have the same result as looking up and away.
Regardless, I’m satisfied knowing the technology exists. Now I need just befriend someone who can build this device for me should I ever suffer an accident.
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