tomasero
The MouthPad^ is out in the world, transforming users’ lives at work, in play, and everything in between. For Keely Horch, a student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, the MouthPad^ is an essential tool in the classroom, and a “layer of freedom” wherever she goes.
“I’m excited about the future because of the independence I have now from the MouthPad^,” said Keely. “Being able to stay up late to do homework or play games, it gives me a sense of normalcy.”
“It's given me the motivation to want to take control of my life.”
An incoming sophomore, Keely is studying math and computer engineering. She uses her MouthPad^ to code, draw equations, and take notes during lecture, where voice control is not an option. Hear Keely's story in the video above.
This past year, Augmental has worked with 40 early-access customers, each with unique abilities or mobility challenges, to evolve the MouthPad^s capabilities and refine the onboarding journey.
The MouthPad^ Early Access program is quickly expanding to everyone in the US. Join our waitlist to reserve your spot! [augmental.tech/waitlist](https://www.augmental.tech/waitlist)
Keely, engineering student and Augmental MouthPad^ user
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Using that same technology, we're also trying to unlock whispering speech and eventually moving towards fully silent speech capabilities. This will expand the range of intuitive interactions possible with the MouthPad^.
We totally agree — smart teeth are the future. We're looking into developing a 'smart tooth' that could use radar technology for precise tongue tracking. It's a futuristic idea, but that's the direction we're aiming for!
We're excited about the potential of the MouthPad^ to help people with various motor abilities. Its broad range of functionalities could be particularly helpful for individuals with conditions like Parkinson's.
Also, as more AR headsets become common, hands-free solutions will be crucial. Traditional hand tracking for clicking isn't always reliable, as hands might not be in the camera's view. The MouthPad^ could provide a consistent way to interact with these technologies, making computing more inclusive.
Your use case sounds entirely feasible and promising. We're also looking at the possibility of coupling eye tracking for cursor movement with the MouthPad^ trackpad, functioning as a gestural trackpad. This setup would allow for left clicks, right clicks, swipes, click-and-drag actions, and other gestures. It's an exciting prospect that could significantly improve the eye-tracking experience by overcoming the typically slow response of dwell-based clicking.
Stay tuned for these developments, and thanks for recognizing our work – it’s greatly appreciated!
We’re addressing a significant gap in assistive interfaces. Current technology has not kept pace with users’ needs, especially those with hand impairments, limiting their engagement with the digital world - a crucial space for learning, socializing, and working. We’re driven to unlock their potential and enhance independence.
Our immediate target is helping individuals living with quadriplegia in the U.S. However, globally, with conditions like Muscular Dystrophy, SMA, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Cerebral Palsy, stroke aftermath, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and other SRIs, the number of potential users is vast.
Beyond assistive use, we’ve also attracted developers intrigued by the productivity gains from hands-free interfacing and the prospect of an always-available, private AI+AR interaction interface.
Know anyone who might benefit from the MouthPad? Join our waitlist: https://augmental.tech/waitlist