The aptly named charity SpecialEffect have helped in a world first, the creation of a sculpture using nothing but eye movement. Using a combination of eye-gaze technology, computer gaming software and 3-D printing a highly detailed sculpture has been created by a young artist named Alex, who due to a progressive condition, no longer has the ability to make art with his hands.

SpecialEffect helps severely disabled people enjoy the use of computers and video games through the application and integration of various technologies.

To create this modern artistic marvel, eye-gaze technology is used to create a figure on the video game Spore. The unique character is then processed into computer code and then printed on a 3-D printer. Despite being used in industrial manufacturing since the 1980’s, 3-D printing has only recently been able to be used as a domestic  tool and now after being  innovatively combined with eye-gaze technology, marks a breakthrough in the world of disability and the arts.

The creation of this integrated technology is the work of SpecialEffect CEO and 2012 TalkTalk Digital Heroes Awards winner Dr Mick Donegan. Speaking on the SpecialEffect website about the project, Dr Donegan said “As far as we are aware, this is the first project of its kind. Through our special combination of existing technologies, such as gaze control and 3D printing, we're beginning to enable young people like Alex to release their locked-in talents in brand new ways to enhance the lives of us all."

If you want to learn more about SpecialEffect then click here to visit their website.