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 Muto, who lost the use of his hands to Lou Gehrig's Disease, wears a
pair of high-tech glasses connected to an app that controls
music-mixing software.
"Through my performance, I hope to show that everybody should be
given the chance to express themselves," Muto, 32, told Reuters
Television after performing at the J-Wave Innovation World Festa.
Muto was a 27-year-old advertising executive when he was diagnosed
with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's
Disease - a progressive neurological disease in which patients
gradually lose control of most of their muscles, though mental
function remains unimpaired.
The disease, which gained prominence in 2014 through the "Ice Bucket
Challenge" global video fundraising campaign, is terminal, with most
patients dying within three to five years of their diagnosis. There
is currently no treatment.
On the train home after his diagnosis, Muto vowed to make the rest
of his life as innovative and creative as possible.
He quit his job and founded the group "WITH ALS" to raise awareness
of the disease and help other patients live their lives to the
fullest.
Muto dreamed of being a disc jockey and tracked down the latest
technology to make it happen.
Now a radio personality, he performs as a disc and video jockey
under the moniker "EYE VDJ", mixing music with smart eyewear that
detects his eye movements and allows him to use an app connected to
music-mixing software.
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A three-point sensor on the nose pad of the JINS MEME glasses
detects subtle electronic changes in the surrounding skin which are
caused by blinking or movement of the eyes.
The eyeglasses sell for 27,300 yen ($245) a pair, cheaper than many
other eye-tracking devices. The source code for JINS MEME has been
released to the public in the hope that others will find their own
ways of using it, Muto said.
"ALS is thought to be an incurable disease, but I believe hope is
now growing for ALS patients to pursue their lifestyle and quality
of life with the help of technology," he said.
Muto said his next dream is to perform at the opening ceremonies of
the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.
"By then I may be bedridden, but I can perform with the help of
technology and the support of many people," he said.
(Writing by Elaine Lies; Editing by Darren Schuettler)
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