The company Augmental has introduced a “mouse for the mouth”. With this mouse, nearly all inputs on the computer can be controlled with the mouth. The company promises advantages for paralyzed individuals from this product.
The company Augmental has introduced a mouth mouse. The MouthPad^ looks like a dental brace that sits on the palate. The MouthPad^ is transparent around the teeth, and in the center, there is a golden touchpad that represents the contact point for the tongue. Inside, there is also a force sensor that captures left and right clicks or can be allocated in other ways.
The device can perceive movements of the tongue so that users can scroll, type, make phone calls, and even play games with a flick or click of the tongue.
Mouse for people with disabilities, but also for mechanics and surgeons
Who is the mouse aimed at? The company developed the MouthPad^ as an aid for people with disabilities, specifically for those with a hand disability or paralysis. It can connect via Bluetooth to any tablet, phone, or computer.
The founders stated that the device was developed mainly because they have friends and acquaintances who have difficulties handling modern devices.
At the same time, as Corbin Halliwill, a software developer at Augmental, explained, other groups of people are also interested in the product. For example, mechanics or surgeons, as well as astronauts who would like to try the device on the International Space Station (ISS) (via cbs.news.com)
When will the device be released? The device is said to be released later this year (2024), and you can already sign up on a “Waitlist” directly with the manufacturer if you are interested in the product.
Are there already individuals who can try the device? Yes, the company itself states that some users have already tested the device, such as a freshman in mechanical engineering who uses the MouthPad^ as the primary input device for her computer and phone. Halliwill explains:
She types math problems with the MouthPad. It is amazing to talk with her, to talk with her family… and to see how much it moves her.
More inventions: A student had been having problems with his hand for years due to an illness. A team of three students developed a robotic hand for him that comes from a 3D printer. For the student, this made his life significantly easier:
