The Mouth Mouse: An Intuitive Tongue Controller of Electronic Systems Designed Specifically for Individuals with Severe Upper-Limb Impairment

This SBIR II project further develops Mouth Mouse, a Bluetooth-compliant tongue-based electronic control designed to give people with upper limb disability control of peripheral devices including computers and communication systems, home automation, and powered wheelchairs, as well as many other Bluetooth-compliant devices and emerging new technologies. The goal of Phase II is to reduce the size of the device so that speech is intelligible while using the Mouth Mouse. This is achieved by three specific aims. Aims 1 and 2 are designed to reduce the size of the Mouth Mouse device and to develop a workflow that is scalable as a commercial product and Aim 3 provides necessary data to critically evaluate performance and the market readiness of the Mouth Mouse in an intended use setting by participants with severe upper limb disabilities. The outcome of this project is a highly effective and easy-to-use computing and communication input device, which provides individuals with paralysis easier and improved access to technologies needed to succeed in academia and the workplace, and greater independence at home and in the community.