Smartphones have rapidly evolved over the years, yet the way we interact with them remains largely unchanged. For most users, keypads and touchscreens are still the primary interfaces, mainly because they’re undeniably convenient.
This seemingly intuitive interface, however, can be a major hurdle for people with disabilities, such as those suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
ALS is a neurodegenerative condition that causes progressive muscle weakness, often leaving individuals with limited mobility. As a result, pressing a button or even a simple swipe on the screen can be a challenging task for them.
To make smartphones more accessible for these users, Honor introduced an intent-based eye-tracking system with MagicOS 8.0 as part of its commitment to human-centric innovation. The feature allows users to control their phones solely through eye movements.
“ALS patients often retain control only of their eye movement in the later stages of the disease”, says Limore Noach, executive director of the ALS Foundation Netherlands. Thanks to Honor, these users now have a new way to interact with their smartphones.
The system is called “intent-based” because it uses artificial intelligence to understand what the user wants to do. This makes it easier and more natural to navigate the phone.
The company demoed this intent-based eye-tracking system at MWC this year on the Chinese Magic 6 Pro smartphone. They’ve now confirmed that the feature will be rolled out to global devices starting August 27th. However, Honor has yet to specify which smartphones will support this technology. We hope that every device receiving MagicOS 8.0 will include it.
Looking ahead, Honor is also developing a brain-computer interface (BCI) system, which will allow people to communicate with external devices using brain signals—an incredibly convenient method for individuals with limited mobility.
While the BCI system is still in development, Honor is running a social media campaign, #HONORtheChallenger, to raise awareness for ALS across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. The campaign is endorsed by athletes like Nile Wilson and has already garnered a global engagement of 11 million.
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