This Alternate Communication Device Helps Paralyzed People Communicate
Rahul Kalvapalle — August 31, 2015 — Tech
References: lboro.ac.uk & gizmag
The Augmentative and Alternate Communication device is an incredible piece of technology that allows paralyzed people to "speak" by translating their breathing into communication.
There are a number of existing technologies that enable paralyzed people to communicate. Some of these use eye movements as cues, but the fact of the matter is these technologies may not work for patients with the most severe forms of paralysis. This prompted researchers at Loughborough University in the UK to come up with an alternative.
The device works in a fascinating way. As patients breathe in a particular pattern, special software recognizes the pattern as representing a word or phrase, with the user deciding what patterns equate to what words. The software then learns from them as they go along.
Speech and verbal communication are things we often take for granted, and this incredible Augmentative and Alternate Communication device helps paralyzed people better communicate with people around them.
There are a number of existing technologies that enable paralyzed people to communicate. Some of these use eye movements as cues, but the fact of the matter is these technologies may not work for patients with the most severe forms of paralysis. This prompted researchers at Loughborough University in the UK to come up with an alternative.
The device works in a fascinating way. As patients breathe in a particular pattern, special software recognizes the pattern as representing a word or phrase, with the user deciding what patterns equate to what words. The software then learns from them as they go along.
Speech and verbal communication are things we often take for granted, and this incredible Augmentative and Alternate Communication device helps paralyzed people better communicate with people around them.
Trend Themes
1. Augmentative and Alternate Communication Devices - Opportunity for developing and improving AAC technology to help people with severe forms of paralysis to communicate more effectively using breathing patterns.
2. Breath-controlled Communication Technology - Innovation opportunity for creating more advanced software and hardware capable of accurately translating breath patterns into speech.
3. Personalized Pattern Recognition - Advancement in using pattern recognition to develop AAC devices that are customizable and tailored to the breathing patterns of individual users.
Industry Implications
1. Assistive Technology - Development of AAC technology can improve the quality of life for people with paralysis and lead to more advanced assistive devices.
2. Medical Devices - Breath-controlled communication technology has the potential to transform the medical device industry, creating new opportunities to assist people who have lost their ability to speak.
3. Speech and Language Therapy - Personalized pattern recognition can be used to develop innovative speech and language therapy tools for people needing to learn new ways of communicating, including those with severe forms of paralysis.
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