Earbud Lets You Control Your Phone with a Wink or Smile
From: New Scientist - 04/06/2017
By: Timothy Revell

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research in
Germany have developed a prototype earbud that can identify facial
expressions and turn them into smartphone commands. The electrode-equipped
earbuds recognize changes in ear-canal shape that occur when the user makes
different facial expressions. The deformations to the earbud generate an
electrical-field change that can be mapped to the corresponding expression.
"We're not trying to replace current input methods, just complement them,"
says Fraunhofer's Denys Matthies. The prototype earbuds currently can detect
five distinct expressions with 90-percent accuracy, and the researchers think
the device could give disabled people more smartphone interaction options. In
addition, they say a consumer version could account for context to prevent
the phone from acting on false positives. "It's currently still just a
research project, but something as simple as answering a call with a facial
expression could be possible soon," Matthies says.

Read the entire article at:
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2126967-earbud-lets-you-control-your-phone-with-a-wink-or-smile

Links:
Denys Matthies
http://www.denysmatthies.com/research.htm

E-tattoos turn knuckles and freckles into smartphone controls
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2124961-e-tattoos-turn-knuckles-and-freckles-into-smartphone-controls

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Tongue clicks to control wheelchairs
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19790-tongue-clicks-to-control-wheelchairs