Design and development of a rehabilitative eye-tracking based home automation system

Abstract

Locked-in syndrome is known to be a condition in which a patient loses the ability to control nearly all voluntary muscles in the body except for the eye. In today's world, healthcare facilities have the means and equipment necessary to help such patients and take care of their needs, which includes medical care and patient comfort. However, such dedicated professional services are not commonly provided at the patient's dwelling, and more can still be done when it comes to patient's comfort and self-reliance. This paper delineates the design and development of an eye-tracking based home automation system that provides the targeted locked-in patient with the ability to control appliances using his/her eyes. In the developed system, eye movement, pupil position, size, and velocity are determined using a built-in laptop camera in conjunction with a series of algorithms coded in MATLAB®. The camera is adjusted in such a way so as to be leveled horizontally with the eye-sight of the patient. Further algorithms are to allow the user to control and move the mouse cursor with his/her eye movements. A specially designed graphical user interface provides the individual with the options as to what he/she wishes to control. An Arduino microcontroller differentiates the received instructions from the user and provides an output to the intended device. The controlled appliances within the patient's habitat are doors, window shutters, lightings, bed control, television set, and heating ventilation and air-conditioning. Further modular improvement of this system could be introduced as need arises. The system was validated using a series of tests on normal control individuals. The validation results show high accuracy and precision. The significance of this system lies in helping locked-in patients gain control over some aspects of their lives; accordingly, they will no longer require continuous assistance to secure their comfort but rather be self-reliant.