NTT DoCoMo testing out eye-controlled music interface

If you're scouting the strange, the weird and the weirder, you'll find plenty to get absorbed in over at the research facilities of NTT DoCoMo. The Japanese giant is at it once more, but this time the invention is actually somewhat down to Earth. It's mission? To create a method for easily controlling a music interface (on a PMP or cellphone) with just your eyes. By rolling one's eyes and jerking them from side to side, the outfit is hoping to have the corresponding music player change tracks and get louder / softer. If you're not exactly keen with freaking out fellow citizens on the street with completely erratic eye movements, you may also appreciate a similar technology it's working up which can detect a user's finger tapping to achieve to same goal. Of course, said technology would be halfway useless on the smash hit-packed ZVUE Journey (no way you're bypassing any of those tracks, son), but we guess you could check out your toes every now and then to keep from constantly staying at 11.

[Via ShinyShiny]

[Sam Stone @ Jul 25th 2008 9:25AM]

This looks completely pratical and bully proof


Like my penis

[NHAnimator @ Jul 25th 2008 9:37AM]

*** rolls eyes ***

*** accidentally starts playing 'detachable penis' ***

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Jul 25th 2008 10:03AM]

Self esteem not included

[Nick K. @ Jul 25th 2008 9:26AM]

This would be "the weirderer."

[OneLove @ Jul 25th 2008 11:57AM]

its a new design for a camera phone.

[riggs @ Jul 25th 2008 9:27AM]

yes, i would wear that outside.

[Technex @ Jul 25th 2008 9:35AM]

I can see everyone wearing this soon!...

[kal326 @ Jul 25th 2008 9:44AM]

Huh, this just kinda strikes me as a bad idea. You know when your running or biking and trying to do something simple like change a track and end up running into something.

[bartoron @ Jul 25th 2008 9:46AM]

Person A: How do you change the song?
Person B: You close your eyes for 5 seconds.
Person A: Mmkai.

Person A is riding their bike when they decide to change the song. They close their eyes and... boom asplode.

[Darren @ Jul 25th 2008 9:46AM]

This hands-free interface will be perfect for drivers and people on-the-go!

[manav @ Jul 25th 2008 9:54AM]

its kinda a month old

http://www.techtickerblog.com/2008/06/30/eye-controlled-gadgets-in-the-future-courtesy-ntt-docomo/

[Paul @ Jul 25th 2008 10:16AM]

"Wait, wait, dont' tel me, don't tell me. You are from the Coast Guard Auxiliary and you want me to make a donation."

"Doc. I am from the future. I came here in a time machine you built. And I need your help to get me back to the year 1985."

"Do you know what this means? Do you know what this means? It *means* that this damn thing doesn't work at all!"

[Shane @ Jul 25th 2008 10:28AM]

Back to the future reference FTW!

[Shane @ Jul 25th 2008 10:27AM]

Wacky headgear with many wires protruding...Check
Crazy looking facial expressions...Check

Perfect recipe for getting stopped by the TSA going through the airport!

[Doug @ Jul 25th 2008 10:32AM]

Its OVER 9,000!

Its OVER 9,000!

Its OVER 9,000!

Its OVER 9,000!

[Samsam @ Jul 25th 2008 11:05AM]

Haha! Wait no.

[ShadowKain @ Jul 25th 2008 11:00AM]

Wow, why so huge? Well I guess most beta hardware is large and unwieldy till they get the tech down...

[Yevon @ Jul 25th 2008 1:07PM]

I hate to be that guy, but... She totally said that.

[Zeek @ Jul 25th 2008 11:19AM]

This WILL be my new animated gif avatar.

[thatrotierkid @ Jul 25th 2008 11:20AM]

"Don't give me that look young man! You will pay attention to me when I am talking to you!"

"But Mom I was just changing songs..."

"Don't you dare talk back to me! You wait until your Father gets home!"

[chefgon_ign @ Jul 25th 2008 11:46AM]

"you may also appreciate a similar technology it's working up which can detect a user's finger tapping to achieve to same goal"


Tapping your fingers on something to control music? That's the most original idea ever! Amazing that they didn't invent such a thing decades ago.

Maybe they can call it a "button"

[HektikLyfe @ Jul 25th 2008 12:14PM]

I guess all the pretty models are working in television ads?

For a second there I thought this was a torture device and that guy there was in excruciating pain.

[HektikLyfe @ Jul 25th 2008 12:15PM]

Music interface made out of candy corn and waffles, nice.

[David Braybrooke @ Jul 25th 2008 1:01PM]

I couldn't keep a straight face while reading this article! The pictures look so unbelievably silly! No value, look above! D. :-)

[Fokin Pikey @ Jul 25th 2008 1:39PM]

Is this the latest Dr. Emit Brown Invention? GREAT SCOTT!!!

[ehisforadam @ Jul 25th 2008 2:29PM]

The first step toward real Cybermen, we're all doomed! Doomed I say!

[carbonrain @ Jul 25th 2008 2:30PM]

this man looks very very uncomfortable

[Cassini @ Jul 25th 2008 7:00PM]

In that photo, that's not the prototype. That's the finished product.

And when wearing that contraption, along with those facial expressions, all the eye rolling, and maybe a bit of drooling for added effect, just think of how much compassion you could muster out of complete strangers on the street because they'd think you were "special".

[RatonVaquero @ Jul 25th 2008 8:16PM]

Keep making those faces and your face will stay like that......

[Harrison @ Jul 26th 2008 3:13AM]

So...if I start checking out a hot piece of ass, will something appropriately sultry start playing?

[linuxamp @ Jul 28th 2008 12:15AM]

The article was translated wrong. It's actually a remote mind control control device like the one Stewie used on Chris.
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/136860/751209