Tobii Dynavox Basic Guide (Eye-Tracking System)
Tobii Dynavox systems typically come pre-installed on specific devices, but if you're setting it up on a compatible device, follow these steps:
Mounting the Device: Ensure the Tobii Dynavox device (such as a tablet or standalone eye tracker) is mounted correctly, at eye level and within the recommended distance (usually between 50-90 cm or 20-35 inches from your eyes).
Installing the Software: If you are installing it on a compatible device, download the necessary software from the official Tobii Dynavox website: Tobii Dynavox Software.
Calibrating the Eye-Tracking: Tobii Dynavox requires calibration to detect your eye movements accurately.
Launch the Tobii Dynavox software.
Follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the system and run the calibration process.
You will be asked to look at different dots or objects on the screen as the system calibrates to your eye movements.
Once the system is calibrated, you can use your eyes to control the cursor and interact with the computer. Here’s how:
Basic Navigation:
Move the Cursor: Simply look at the area of the screen where you want the cursor to move.
Select an Item:
You can "dwell" on an item by holding your gaze for a set amount of time, usually a few seconds, until the item is selected.
Alternatively, some setups may use a switch or blink action to confirm selections, instead of dwelling.
Right-Clicking or Alternative Clicks:
Depending on your setup, right-clicks and other actions can be performed by dwelling on specific icons or using a menu bar with additional options.
Tobii Dynavox is often used with AAC software to help users with speech impairments communicate. Here’s how to use the communication software integrated with Tobii Dynavox:
Selecting Words and Phrases:
Look at the on-screen keyboard or pre-programmed buttons that represent words, letters, or phrases.
Use the dwell feature or blink to select them.
Generating Speech:
Once you’ve selected a word or phrase, the system will speak it aloud using synthesized speech, allowing you to communicate with others.
Customizing Communication Boards: Users can create custom communication boards with specific words, phrases, and images to suit their needs. You can edit or add new buttons in the settings.
If the system is not responding as accurately as needed, you may need to recalibrate or adjust the settings:
Recalibration: Go to the system settings and choose the option to recalibrate. This will take you through the calibration process again, where you focus on different points on the screen.
Sensitivity Settings: You can adjust the dwell time (how long you need to look at an item to select it) or change the sensitivity of the eye-tracking.
Tobii Dynavox systems often come with communication software such as Snap Core First or Grid for users with communication disabilities. Here's a quick overview:
Snap Core First: A symbol-based communication system that helps users build sentences using visual symbols.
Grid: Provides customizable grids of words and phrases for users to select and create spoken sentences.
Customizing Grids and Communication Boards:
You can add new words, symbols, or phrases to the grids by going into the system settings and editing the communication board.
Pre-made templates are available to suit different communication needs.
In addition to communication, Tobii Dynavox allows users to:
Navigate the Web: Use eye-tracking to browse websites by selecting links, scrolling, and clicking items with your gaze.
Type Using On-Screen Keyboards: Users can use on-screen keyboards to type emails, search the web, or write documents by selecting letters with their eyes.
Control Games or Media: Some users can even use Tobii Dynavox for controlling games or media apps (depending on system configuration).
Custom Commands: You can set up custom voice commands, shortcuts, and interactions depending on your specific needs.
Switch and Scanning Options: Some users may prefer a switch scanning method, where a scanning cursor moves across the screen and is activated by a physical switch, instead of eye-tracking.
Tobii Dynavox Support: The Tobii Dynavox website offers a variety of training resources, webinars, and customer support options to help users get the most out of their devices: Tobii Dynavox Support
Training Videos: Access online tutorials to get started with the device and learn more advanced techniques.
Position the device correctly: Make sure the device is at the correct distance and angle from your eyes for accurate tracking.
Take breaks: Using eye-tracking for long periods can be tiring. Taking regular breaks helps prevent eye strain.
Recalibrate when needed: If you notice a decrease in accuracy, recalibrate the system to improve performance.
Tobii Dynavox Official Website: Tobii Dynavox
Tobii Dynavox Training: Tobii Dynavox Training Portal
Tobii Dynavox Video Tutorials: Tobii Dynavox YouTube Channel