Have you ever thought what life would be like without being able to communicate what you have in your head?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Patients progressively lose all control of muscle movements until death from complete paralysis. Thanks to a new application developed in Spain, these patients will be able to communicate. It is an initiative of Samsung, the Spanish start-up Irisbond and the Luzón Foundation.
How does it work the initiative they had run?
The app “Tallk”, uses the device’s camera to locate the pupils and certain characteristic points of the face and, later, through a series of algorithms and artificial intelligence, the software translates the movement of the eyes into approximate movements within the screen to access a keyboard virtual and convert the text entered by the user into speech.
Thanks to Tallk, users will be able to use their eyes to write using a predictive virtual keyboard and then verbalize what they have written. For greater agility in use and communication, the application developed by Irisbond allows phrases to be added to the user’s collection so that they can be accessed and spoken at any time quickly and easily. In addition, it saves a history of phrases used that will allow the user to use them at any time if they wish. The keyboard also allows you to interact with Samsung’s virtual assistant, Bixby, to solve different requests, as well as control connected home devices compatible with Smartthings such as the TV, connected appliances or home sensors.
Which were their main goals?
Education and culture; employability and entrepreneurship; and well-being and accessibility.
In this case, improve the well-being of ALS patients and this application will allow them to communicate and live a more independent life
How many people had improve their lives through Tallk?
It is an arduous process, but there are currently 35 people affected by ALS using Tallk to communicate
