Employing Google's new toy to improve wheelchair control sounds like the least silly way to use $1,500 nerdwear.

When Google launched their ifihadglass campaign asking users to apply for early access to the augmented reality device, tech aficionados and cutting-edge eyewear fashionistas exploded with ideas -- some annoying, some jokey, and some actually promising.
Steve McHugh, an engineer at the Boston-based e-commerce company Wayfair, posted this:
#ifihadglass I would use the eye tracking technology described in US patent 8,235,529 to implement a Masters robotics lab project’s alternative mechanism for quadriplegic and other disabled persons to control their powered wheelchairs (start/stop, speed, turning) while displaying real-time feedback about their surroundings (dangers, obstacles, suggested routes).
According to a new interview with BostInno, McHugh got the idea from a robotics class he took as a Master's student at Tufts University. For a group project, some of his classmates used an eye-tracking webcam to control an electric wheelchair. Depending on how precise Google's eye tracking technology is, McHugh thinks that by a wheelchair could be controlled by just staring at buttons on the interface for a specific amount of time. The user could ideally know exactly how fast they're going, whether there are potentially dangerous objects in their path and how much battery is left in the chair.
For a quadriplegic or paraplegic, being able to control a wheelchair's movements freely without arms would be life changing. Or, you know, we could just use it to dictate emails while walking.
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Bike controls like gear shifters and brakes are located within finger's reach, exactly where you want them. Why, then, is it that you have to reach around to the headset to access your bike computer? German sports electronics manufacturer o-synce assures you that you don't have to. Its ANT+remote brings computer control to you.

It's surprising to us that most bike computers don't already come with grip-mounted wireless controls, but o-synce calls its latest accessory the first ANT+ wireless remote for the purpose. It is designed to work with o-synce's navi2coach bike computer, which offers both GPS navigation and performance measuring.

The ANT+remote can mount to either the left or right side of the handlebars, cozying up to the grip. The three buttons and six functions should prove easy to activate with the thumb. After an initial pairing, the ANT+ remote automatically syncs up with the navi2coach computer, making for seamless connection.

While the ANT+remote was designed specifically for the navi2coach, o-synce mentions working on future compatibility with iPhones and other smart devices. With a range of more than 6 ft (3 m), cyclists will be able to use it to control music, calls and apps from a smartphone stored in their backpack or jersey.

The ANT+remote launched earlier this year and is available for €49.90 (approx. US$65). The 13 g (0.45 oz) unit uses a CR2032 battery that provides for up to 100 hours of operation. It is water-resistant and will hold up to rain and splashing.

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