Fighting a ‘killer’ in our midst

Chinese startup 7Invensun is helping people suffering from a fatal disease

Even with medical technology, there is still no cure for the disease.”

A Chinese tech firm has given away eye-tracking headsets worth at least 1 million yuan ($150,000) to people suffering from a fatal disease that attacks the nervous system.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, kills nerve cells in the brain and spine.

Stephen Hawking, the British theoretical physicist and cosmologist known for his groundbreaking work on black holes and the author of A Brief History of Time, is a high-profile victim of ALS or motor neurone disease.

The technology in 7Invensun’s devices, which are activated by movement of the eyes, is similar to the programs used by wheelchairbound Hawkings.

“Even with medical technology, there is still no cure for the disease,” said Huang Tongbing, chief executive officer of 7Invensun Technology Co Ltd.

“Patients suffer from paralysis and lose the ability to speak, leaving them dependent on others,” he added. “But our company develops eye-tracking devices that enable patients to live a life.”

Apart from the work Hawkings has done to highlight the plight of people suffering from ALS, social media has increased awareness of the degenerative disease in the past few years.

Still, Huang and his company, which he founded in 2009, are doing something practical by utilizing the latest technology.

7Invensun is now one of China’s leading lights in virtual reality after launching the world’s first eye-tracking module for online gaming fans. The same technology is used in the free headsets.

Basically, a person can navigate a PC or tablet screen by just looking at icons to activate various programs, such as calling for help, writing an email, surfing the web or putting together a shopping list.

The headsets are so sensitive Huang Tongbing,

chief executive officer of 7Invensun Technology Co Ltd

that sensors can pick up the slightest eye movement to operate the system.

“The devices are too costly for people suffering from ALS,” Huang said. “Many lose their jobs through illness and lack financial support.”

Data released earlier this year by the Oriental Rain ALS Care Center showed that nearly 17,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year, although the figure could be higher.

So far, 7Invensun has handed out more than a hundred free headsets, which retail at 10,000 yuan each, to people suffering from ALS.

“We vowed to help people live a better life,” said Huang, who used to work on eyetracking military research before setting up his firm.

“Last year, we decided to give away our basic kit for free to people affected by the disease,” he added.

But an initial version of the official program started much earlier.

Gong Xunhui was one of those who benefited after running a laundry business.

The 62-year-old from Chengdu in Sichuan province has suffered from ALS for 14 years.

She first started using a 7Invensun headset in 2012, and it enabled her to read, write and communicate.

Then in 2014, Gong published her autography, Mei Li Dong Ren, which roughly translates into a “Beautiful Person with ALS”.

The 120,000-word book has since inspired people battling against the disease.