Augmental, a startup in San Francisco, has chosen to design and manufacture body-coupled interfaces that allow people to control computers, communicate, and interact without relying on their hands. The company has focused products for people with the greatest need, such as people living with quadriplegia, ALS, spinal cord injury, and other severe motor limitations. This approach has helped the company focus on specific requirements such as lighter inputs, fewer steps, and quieter interaction. Two of their unique products include the MouthPad that allows users to move a cursor using their tongue, and VOX, which turns a whisper into text — one gives you control while the other gives you voice. The company is now selling its devices to the public for the first time.

The MouthPad is a custom-fit mouse that has several hands-free operations. A user can control an electronic device using their tongue, through head-tracking movements, and even sip gestures. The tongue-based touchpad supports various commands typically used, such as left-click, right-click, click-and-drag, swipe, scroll, and even keyboard shortcuts and WASD controls. The system uses a capacitive trackpad. Although typically noisy in wet conditions, the capacitive trackpad incorporates an algorithm that filters out the noise. In addition, the trackpad uses a barometer to detect pressure changes as well as an accelerometer and gyroscope to track head movement. A microprocessor processes the sensor data before transmitting to the connected device. 

The MouthPad is lightweight and durable. It is encapsulated with KeySplint Soft® resin. This is a unique 3D printing resin for the fabrication of flexible dental splints and nightguards using an SLA 3D printing machine. The device is powered by a battery manufactured by Varta, a company with a track record of producing safe, medical implant-grade batteries. Battery life is approximately 7+ hours and can be recharged over 500 times from low to full charge before decreasing in overall performance — depending on usage and settings. 

The MouthPad device weighs in at about 10g and is only about 80 x 50 x 30mm in size depending on the specific mouth shape. The device is easy to carry in a case or a pocket. Although the thickness of the device is around 4mm along the tongue-trackpad at the roof of the mouth, its average 1mm thickness allows for a discreet and seamless experience for users. 

The plug-and-play design connects using standard Bluetooth pairing and can therefore work with all major operating systems, including MacOS, Windows, and Linux as well as iOS and Android smartphones. (The MouthPad App, needed to first set up the device, is only available on MacOS, iOS, and Windows.) The device is equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy Human Interface Device (BLE HID) protocol. While being used, the MouthPad is virtually invisible, wireless, compatible with voice control, easy to carry, and user-friendly to learn. 

Customization is key when it comes to having a pleasurable and comfortable experience. Each MouthPad is designed based on a 3D dental scan available at many dental and orthodontic offices (following Augmental’s scanning guide). From there, the product is created with specific attention to oral anatomy for both safety and a comfortable fit. This is particularly important for users who might wear the MouthPad for extended periods of time of more than ten hours a day. Although it’s okay to drink water while wearing the device, it is suggested that you not eat or drink hot beverages during use. Because each MouthPad is customized, there is minimal impact on speech, which means you can use voice recognition software while wearing the device — with some practice. 

Augmental Technologies Inc is an MIT Media Lab spin-off dedicated to developing human augmentation technologies. The company wants to be able to provide everyone with more intuitive ways to interact with computing system. 

For information: 

Augmental Technologies

KeySplint Soft 

Varta 

Augmental Scanning Guide

MouthPad Testimonials