Wantanee Phantachat, chief of the assistive technology section at the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre, said that they have developed communication software, when installed on a Pocket PC, helps people communicate with 100 words or sentences.

The centre-developed software is being used with a Fujitsu Pocket PC model. However, the centre will put up the program on a website to aid disabled people who could download it for personal use. The program will be available free of charge.

"We hope that this development will be of help to those who need it the most," said Wantanee.

The centre is also actively involved with the Institute for Infocomm Research, Singapore. Together, they plan to develop a new information technology device that would utilise Brain-Computer Interface and word prediction to aid communication.

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a fast emerging technology in which researchers aim to build a direct channel between the human brain and the computer. The core motive of the technology lies in recognising brain activities by interpreting brain waves. It deploys non-invasive brain wave acquisition methods by using an electroencephalograph.

The BCI can help physically disadvantaged people, particularly those suffering from complete paralysis, by giving them a communication device, for instance, a spelling system. BCI systems can also help people with spinal-cord injuries by facilitating robotic arms or prostheses. The technology also provides hope for people with complete loss of limb movement as they can now access computers and use home appliances.

She said that the collaboration with Singapore is a recent one and the organisations are in the process of negotiation and development.

Creating innovative tools for disabled people is definitely on their agenda.

The tools are likely to feature communication, environment control, movement restoration, wheel-chair control and games through the BCI.

Jirapan Boonnoon

The Nation

jirapan@nationgroup.com