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Cogria-AI/HeadOrbit

A macOS menu bar app that uses AirPods head tracking to blur the screen, post reminders, and press keys based on head movements.

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Last commit
15 days ago

What is it?

HeadOrbit reads the motion sensors built into supported AirPods and Beats earbuds, then turns head turns, nods and tilts into actions on a Mac. No camera is used. Each gesture direction can be assigned to blur the screen, show a posture reminder, press a key, hold a key, or do nothing.

Actions are grouped into scenes that can be switched on or off as a unit. Three scenes ship built in: privacy blur when turning away, a posture reminder that fires when slouching, and a voice input scene that holds Fn when tilting left and presses Return when tilting right. Angles, delays and keys are all adjustable, and the app warns when two enabled scenes claim the same direction.

The app requires macOS 14 or later and AirPods connected to that Mac. It runs in the menu bar without a Dock icon, sends no screen data off the machine, and only contacts GitHub to check for updates.

Key features

  • 01Turns head turns, nods and tilts into screen blur, reminders, or key presses.
  • 02Groups gesture actions into switchable scenes, with three built in.
  • 03Adjustable trigger angles, hold delays and keys for each direction.
  • 04Automatic forward-position adjustment, capped to limit drift.
  • 05Runs in the menu bar with no camera and no data sent off the Mac.

Use cases

  • Blurring the screen automatically when you turn away to talk to someone.
  • Getting a reminder when you slouch while working at a desk.
  • Using head tilts to start and stop push-to-talk voice input with hands free.
  • Triggering a key press from a head gesture while your hands are busy.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Install xcodegen with Homebrew

    brew install xcodegen
  2. 2

    Clone the repository

    git clone https://github.com/Cogria-AI/HeadOrbit.git
  3. 3

    Enter the project folder and build

    cd HeadOrbit ./build.sh
  4. 4

    Open the built app

    open build/Build/Products/Debug/HeadOrbit.app

Things to know

  • macOS 14 or later only, and needs AirPods or Beats with head tracking connected to this Mac.
  • The app is not notarized by Apple, so macOS blocks the first launch and needs a manual workaround.
  • Described by its author as an experiment and weekend project with rough edges.
  • Building from source requires Xcode 15 or later.

Topics

#macos#airpods#head-tracking#accessibility#menu-bar-app#swift#productivity

FAQ

What is HeadOrbit?
A macOS menu bar app that uses AirPods head tracking to blur the screen, post reminders, and press keys based on head movements. HeadOrbit reads the motion sensors built into supported AirPods and Beats earbuds, then turns head turns, nods and tilts into actions on a Mac. No camera is used. Each gesture direction can be assigned to blur the screen, show a posture reminder, press a key, hold a key, or do nothing.
Is HeadOrbit free to use? What license does it have?
HeadOrbit is open source under the MIT license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is HeadOrbit still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to HeadOrbit was on Oct 5, 2026.
What can I use HeadOrbit for?
Blurring the screen automatically when you turn away to talk to someone. Getting a reminder when you slouch while working at a desk. Using head tilts to start and stop push-to-talk voice input with hands free. Triggering a key press from a head gesture while your hands are busy.
How do I install HeadOrbit?
Install xcodegen with Homebrew: brew install xcodegen Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/Cogria-AI/HeadOrbit.git Enter the project folder and build: cd HeadOrbit ./build.sh Open the built app: open build/Build/Products/Debug/HeadOrbit.app
Where can I get HeadOrbit?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/Cogria-AI/HeadOrbit

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