Augmental Unveils MouthPad: Transforming Tongues into Smartphone Cursors

Innovative Mouthware Promises Enhanced Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

USA: San Francisco-based accessibility start-up, Augmental, has introduced a groundbreaking device named MouthPad, showcased at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This assistive technology is designed to turn the human tongue into a functional cursor for smartphones, laptops, and tablets.

Redefining Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

Augmental’s MouthPad, a smart mouthware, takes center stage as a novel and refined choice in tongue-operated controllers. Tailored primarily for iOS interface navigation through Apple’s Assistive Touch, MouthPad breaks barriers by also serving as a Bluetooth mouse compatible with Windows, Linux, and Android devices. The gadget’s potential impact on accessibility for persons with disabilities is noteworthy.

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Crafted from dental-grade resin commonly found in dental aligners and bite guards, MouthPad resembles a retainer equipped with a touchpad, battery, and Bluetooth radio. The device’s battery, supplied by Varta, a producer of medical implant-grade batteries, ensures durability and safety. Augmental reports a current battery life of five hours, with plans to extend it to eight hours by March.

User-Friendly Design and Functionality

Weighing merely 7.5g and with a thickness of 0.7mm (touchpad area being 5mm thick), MouthPad offers a discreet and user-friendly design. Positioned on the right side of the palette and surrounded by upper teeth, users can effortlessly navigate through their connected iPhone, controlling cursor movements, and opening apps and menus. Augmental acknowledges that wearing MouthPad may induce a slight lisp, similar to using regular retainers. Charging the device takes approximately an hour and a half.

Customized 3D-Printed Solutions

Augmental adopts an individualized approach to production, with each MouthPad being custom 3D-printed based on dental impressions provided by customers during the ordering process. The device is currently available for early access users, with a broader release anticipated later in the year. Augmental extends support beyond the purchase, offering assistance with setup, calibration, and ongoing support.

The transformative potential of MouthPad in redefining human-computer interactions showcases Augmental’s commitment to advancing accessibility technology. As the device becomes more widely available, its real-world impact on users remains to be seen, marking a significant step towards inclusive and innovative assistive technologies.