Computer Control with the Nose Tracker

The Institute for Information Technology of Ottowa Canada developed assistive technology software that enables control of the computer with the nose. The software, called ‘nouse,’ can make a webcam into a nose-tracker for disabled.

Combining the movement of the nose with the blinking of the eyes, the nouse can control the computer just like a regular mouse can. The software tracks the nose and uses the nose movement to simulate mouse movements. By blinking the eyes, the user can make the nouse can click just like a mouse can.
 
According to the developer Dmitry Gorodnichy, “especially people with a disability can benefit from the nouse.” The technology uses the webcam to register the movement of the tip of the nose, then software calculates the scope of the cursor on the screen. Gorodnichy made several programs that can be controlled with nose movement only, like the NousePaint, where drawings are made with the use of the nose as input device.