AAVAA is a company focused on the development of accessible technology solutions to improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Founded in 2019 by Naeem Komeilipoor, engineer, scientist and entrepreneur, with an extensive curriculum in neuroscience and biomedical engineering, AAVAA is developing platforms for assistive technology, applicable to hearables, augmented reality, medical devices and beyond. More specifically, the company is creating brain-computer interfaces allowing users to control virtual and real environments using eye movements and blinks, facial gestures, and head and gaze movements.
Its proprietary brain-computer interface technology has five patents filed in over 20 countries and is now being applied in new forms of human device control, from assistive devices to consumer applications, each designed with a commitment to ease of use, functionality, and affordability. AAVAA recently received funding from the government of Canada to accelerate their research and development efforts.
The first product promoted by AAVAA is a headband that acts as a ‘head mouse’ and decodes a user’s auditory and visual attention, and also their intent and subtle commands, such as blinks, winks and eye gazes. This means, users can control devices, such as phones, tablets or assistive devices with movements like a blink, making it a functional technology for users without motor function.
"BCI technology is the key that unlocks so much potential within the accessibility space. This technology will enable paralyzed people to control their wheelchairs and operate their computers and cellphones so they can communicate and function in our modern world. Beyond that we’re finding incredible applications for this new technology – it’s solving the “Cocktail Party Problem” by improving hearing challenges, creating the controller of the future for AR/VR environments and even changing how astronauts function in space," says – Naeem Komeilipoor, founder and CTO of AAVAA.
The AAVAA Headband Accessibility Developer's Kit supports interactions through various intentional eye, mouth, hand, and eyebrow movements. Its key feature lies in the customizable interface, empowering users to personalize their experience by adapting form factors, gestures and gesture intensity to cater to specific accessibility needs. Moreover, the kit’s B2B device integration capability facilitates smooth incorporation with a wide array of technologies, applications, and hardware, supporting accessibility and enhancing everyday consumer devices.
"We’ve listened closely during end-user testing and identified gaps in current BCI technology. Our new software excels in controlling multiple complex devices, decoding intentional and unintentional movements and commands. Our goal is to provide a simplified control device that efficiently and accurately decodes commands, replacing the multitude of cumbersome devices relied upon by those with mobility impairments," adds Komeilipoor.
The AAVAA Headband empowers people with disabilities for independent and inclusive living but AAVAA believes the technology can be explored in applications like virtual and mixed-reality, comprehensive health monitoring (brain, mental, and physical health analytics), and enabling hands-free control of devices in consumer electronics.
The device is now available for trials at aavaa.com/products/ and the developers kit is available to researchers and companies by request form. Developers will be able to see a live demo and request to try the headband themselves. AAVAA is also working on a variety of other form factors, such as goggles and hearing devices.
www.aavaa.com
