UC 'Brain Speller' invention wins Imagine Cup

Amanda Powell

12 May 2011: A student invention allowing people with limited movement or speech to use a computer has won this year's Microsoft Imagine Cup.

Team UCEEG is the fifth team from the University in six years to win the national final and will represent Australia at the international finals in New York in July.

‘Brain Speller’ uses a headset originally designed for gaming to enable people whose physical movements are restricted or who cannot use their voice to communicate using a special piece of software.

The headset reads brain waves associated with different facial expressions, allowing users to type text on screen and even convert the text to speech. The headset can also be used drive a remote controlled car, which demonstrates its potential to be adapted for a range of applications.

“This invention uses technology to give people with a variety of physical disabilities and motor conditions a better quality of life,” team leader Paul Du said.

“It will give them more opportunities to communicate and has the potential to increase their independence.

“It’s exciting to combine imagination and technology to create a product that will improve lives and genuinely help with an issue that affects so many people.”

Mr Du, a Bachelor of Information Technology/Bachelor of Commerce double degree student and teammates Kim Mai Bui (Bachelor of IT), Le Nguyen (honours in information sciences) and Lap Duong (Master of IT), together with mentor  Dat Tran, are now hard at work refining Brain Speller in time for the finals.

Vice-Chancellor Stephen Parker congratulated the team on continuing the University’s success in the competition.

“We are proud to have such a fantastic record in this competition,” Professor Parker said.

“To be named the best team in Australia five years out of the last six is a credit to the students and staff of our Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering.

“The Imagine Cup’s focus on finding solutions to real world problems mirrors the University of Canberra’s emphasis on professional education and applied research, and I believe this shared vision contributes to our continuing success.”

The Imagine Cup will be held in Australia for the first time in 2012.