This might be an interesting technology for parapalegics or people suffering from muscular degenerative diseases. Its most useful form would be as a USB peripheral with build-in drivers, allowing the people who need it to just clip a transparent screen over the monitor (with help, of course) and get to work with minimal interference. Granted, most of the same people retain finger control and could easier use a touch-pad or analog control stick.

Of greater interest: how do these researchers get funding for this kind of project? Is it the work of grad students that gets appropriated by their supervisors, or do companies Really, Truly spend money on this stuff?