World's first hands-free smartphone for disabled

Image
Press Trust of India Jerusalem
Last Updated : Feb 22 2015 | 4:45 PM IST
An Israeli company claims to have developed the first completely hands-free smartphone that can allow disabled users to control the device with head movement.
The smartphone created by Sesame Enable is designed for people with spinal cord injuries, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cerebral palsy and other disabilities that hamper the use of hands and arms.
The Sesame is an Android smartphone that is equipped with proprietary head-tracking technology, 'Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)' reported.
The phone comes with an advanced computer vision algorithm and a front-facing camera that track user's head movements and allow them to control a cursor on screen.
The cursor is essentially a virtual finger, letting users do what others can with a regular smartphone.
The USD 1,000-phone recently won a "Verizon Powerful Answers' Award" with USD 1 million in prize money.
Its developer Giora Livne, who himself is disabled, now plans to give away about 30 Sesame smartphones to people with disabilities nominated by their peers.
Livne came up with the idea after seeing a TV demonstration for a game controlled with head movements.
With a background in electrical engineering, he recognised the technology's potential to help him, and others.
He now regularly texts and sends WhatsApp messages to his friends and three children, and the phone has helped ease some of the social isolation experienced by many disabled people, especially the young.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 22 2015 | 4:45 PM IST

Next Story