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Mouse May be Replaced by "Nouse"

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the things-you-can't-make-up dept.

mteichrob writes "A Canadian inventor has designed a computer mouse steered by movements of the nose and eyelids. The invention, dubbed a "Nouse," is meant to help people with a disability use a computer. I think this could also be quite useful for the average office lackey like me! As good as my ergonomic mouse/keyboard combo is, less body movement is still a better replacement."

5 of 247 comments (clear)

  1. Great for FPS by cookie23 · · Score: 1, Interesting

    When perfected it could bring a whole new meaning to mouselook in FPS. Imagine playing a game where the senery changes when you look, it could be very immersive. On a side note, quite a few gamers already practice moving their heads in reaction to the game. Finally an excuse to cover my lame head movments as I try to dodge those imaginary bullets.

  2. Less movement not always ergonomically good by DeadVulcan · · Score: 2, Interesting

    As good as my ergonomic mouse/keyboard combo is, less body movement is still a better replacement.

    Just because you're moving less doesn't mean you'll be under less strain. It's the naturalness of the movement (however big or small) that's important.

    Now, like any good Slashdottie, I haven't read the f...ing article, but if this "nouse" requires you to hold your head perfectly still, I can guarantee you that your neck muscles will be weeping by the end of the day.

    --
    Accountability on the heads of the powerful.
    Power in the hands of the accountable.
  3. current gui toolkits by PerlDudeXL · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I know the eye movements get be tracked, but I think for a good interaction with a gui toolkit it needs
    to be really acurate to hit a button without hitting the other one right next to it.

    Or selecting/high-lighting text.
    I think that can be tricky.

  4. Mega-necks by EmbeddedJanitor · · Score: 2, Interesting
    The few people I know in wheelchairs have withered legs but very strong arms from all that extra arm exercise. They can crush cans with their finger tips like most folks can crush paper cups.

    What's going to happen to a nouse user? All that extra activity is going to make very strong neck muscles. Wouldn't want to piss the bloke off and get head-butted.

    --
    Engineering is the art of compromise.
    1. Re:Mega-necks by Uncle+Jimmy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The few people I know in wheelchairs have withered legs but very strong arms from all that extra arm exercise. They can crush cans with their finger tips like most folks can crush paper cups.

      One day when I was working at a petrol station a few years back, I looked outside after serving someone, and there was this guy with no legs filling up his car.

      He only just came up to about level with the top of the boot, so it looked a bit weird at first.

      Then, when he was done, he just `walked' inside using his arms like crutches (ie. put them in front a bit, swing the body through, repeat), paid (I had to take the credit card receipt around the counter for him to sign, he couldn't reach it) and left. Pulled himself up into the car and drove off.

      That guy had some serious arm muscles.