The 'MouthPad' Allows Hands-Free Control Of Digital Devices
Rahul Kalvapalle — April 20, 2023 — Tech
References: augmental.tech & prnewswire
The 'MouthPad' is a high-tech digital interface that is designed to make it possible to control computers and other digital devices in a hands-free manner by making use of one's mouth as the controlling tool.
Developed by Augmental, a spinoff company of MIT, the 'MouthPad' takes the form of a 3D-printed dental resin product that contains a battery, microprocessor, circuit board, pressure sensors and a Bluetooth module, with each unit customized to fit individual users based on 3D scans of their mouths. The 'MouthPad' works by translating the position and pressure of the wearer's tongue into control commands on digital devices such as smartphones and laptops.
Although the primary motivation behind the development of the 'MouthPad' digital interface is to help people who lack the use of their hands, the technology could also be useful in enabling high-end multi-tasking.
Tomas Vega, co-founder and engineer at Augmental, noted in a press release that the increasing confluence of lives with technology in an increasingly digitized world means that it's all the more important to expand the way we interface with technology. "Interactions with these systems must be designed to cater to how humans perceive, process, and act," said Vega.
Image Credit: Augmental
Developed by Augmental, a spinoff company of MIT, the 'MouthPad' takes the form of a 3D-printed dental resin product that contains a battery, microprocessor, circuit board, pressure sensors and a Bluetooth module, with each unit customized to fit individual users based on 3D scans of their mouths. The 'MouthPad' works by translating the position and pressure of the wearer's tongue into control commands on digital devices such as smartphones and laptops.
Although the primary motivation behind the development of the 'MouthPad' digital interface is to help people who lack the use of their hands, the technology could also be useful in enabling high-end multi-tasking.
Tomas Vega, co-founder and engineer at Augmental, noted in a press release that the increasing confluence of lives with technology in an increasingly digitized world means that it's all the more important to expand the way we interface with technology. "Interactions with these systems must be designed to cater to how humans perceive, process, and act," said Vega.
Image Credit: Augmental
Trend Themes
1. Hands-free Digital Control - The development of tongue-controlled digital interfaces like MouthPad enables hands-free digital control and interaction with devices.
2. Customized Wearable Tech - The use of 3D scans to create customized MouthPad interfaces represents a trend towards personalized wearable technology.
3. Expanded Human-technology Interaction - The trend towards expanding the way humans interface with technology through MouthPad shows a growing need for tech that caters to human perception, processing, and action.
Industry Implications
1. Assistive Technology - MouthPad falls under the assistive technology industry, offering an innovative solution for individuals who lack the use of their hands.
2. Wearable Technology - MouthPad represents a disruptive innovation for the wearable technology industry, offering a new way to digitally interact with devices through the mouth.
3. Multi-tasking Apps and Devices - The hands-free control allowed by MouthPad could create new opportunities for multi-tasking apps and devices, leading to innovation in the digital technology industry.
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