The five-year Communication by Gaze Interaction (COGAIN) project was established to extend the potential and to lower the cost of eye-tracking technologies for people with disabilities. Supported by the European Commission’s Information Society Technologies Sixth Framework, the Network of Excellence program aims to gather European experts in integrating eye-tracking technology with computers to develop supportive systems for people who can communicate only through their eyes or who have motor impairments caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis.

Development of standard control software, applications, text entries and equipment that can provide suitable resolution at a reasonable cost — such as through an ordinary Web camera and ambient light — are among the goals.

The project began in September 2004. Stakeholders include researchers, manufacturers and end users. Open to anyone interested, the COGAIN Conference 2006 will be held in Turin, Italy, on Sept. 4 and 5.