His condition eventually is getting worse, however, a prominent computer scientist said last week that his team is about to construct a system that will accelerate Hawking communication. Currently famous physicist needs a minute to say a word.
Hawking in the comunication uses cheeks muscle tightening - every time he tighten them, the cursor stop its moving to a letter that appears on the screen. But Intel Chief Technology Officer Justin Rattner noted that a British scientist can create a number of other facial expressions that could be used to accelerate communication. For example, the introduction of two different characters, would allow him to use Morse code, which would be a big improvement.
Intel is currently working on a system that would use some moves of Hawkings cheeks, eyes and eyebrows, and the goal of the team is to accelerate the communication of scientists to five or even ten words per minute.
The company is using a better program for predicting words as a system for recognizing facial expressions that would be faster than selecting individual letters in words.
Hawking's existing system consists of a PC with a camera that can be used for Skype calls. Black box under his wheelchair has a sound amplifier and USB hardware that receives signals infrared sensor in his glasses that reveal the light changing when squeezed cheek muscles. Voice synthesizer is in another box on the back Kloc and receive commands from a computer via the USB serial port.
Intel is developing a range of technologies that should be consumed by as aids for the disabled and elderly people. Such systems should soon recognize our needs, for reminding us of appointments or to take enough money, etc.
'In a few years we will be emotionally connected to our devices, "said Ratner.
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