3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / MIT Spin-off 3D Prints Tongue Operated Controller

MIT Spin-off 3D Prints Tongue Operated Controller

April 21, 2023

Augmental, a spin-off of the MIT Media Lab, has developed the MouthPad, a Bluetooth-powered mouthpiece that lets anyone control electronic appliances with their tongue.

3D printed for ultimate fit
3D printed for ultimate fit. (Image credit: Augmental)

The device has a touch-sensitive panel against the roof of the user’s mouth, allowing them to navigate interfaces using their tongue as a finger to move cursors and perform tasks. The MouthPad is designed to fit onto the user’s palate, with a surface that responds to touch. The electronics are enclosed within a 3D-printed brace made from dental-grade resin, with a battery unit and SoC located on the side. The MouthPad is designed to mitigate the effects of saliva-coated tongues, using machine-learning to accurately register input.

The device is aimed at people with limited mobility, particularly those who have suffered spinal injuries, allowing them to control devices with ease. The MouthPad is discrete and nuanced compared to current devices like the QuadStick, which uses a joystick that users bite down on to control.

trackpad
The trackpad is seen here in the printed structure. (Image credit: Augmental)

The MouthPad has been tested on people with limited mobility and quadriplegia with great success and a positive response. The device can also be used in ‘hands-busy’ scenarios such as surgeons, gamers, astronauts, lab technicians, and factory-line workers.

The MouthPad is currently available to potential buyers in the US who can sign up to be on the waitlist. With its sleek design and 3D-printed components, the MouthPad is an example of how 3D printing can be used to create bespoke devices to empower individuals with specific needs.

Come and let us know your thoughts on our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages, and don’t forget to sign up for our weekly additive manufacturing newsletter to get all the latest stories delivered right to your inbox.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Phillip Keane
Phillip is an aerospace engineer from UK. He is a graduate of Coventry University (UK), International Space University (France) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), where he studied Advanced Manufacturing at the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing.
Latest posts

Turning Waste Into Walls with Additive Manufacturing

Digital Building Technologies (DBT), a team at ETH Zürich, is revolutionizing construction with their latest innovation: 3D printed foam from recycled waste for... read more »

Construction
Turning Waste Into Walls with Additive Manufacturing

nano3Dprint revolutionizes 3D printing landscape with the A2200 Multi-material Electronics Printer

nano3Dprint, a next-generation additive manufacturing solutions provider, has changed the 3D printing game with its A2200 Multi-material Electronics Printer. The A2200 is designed... read more »

3D Printers
nano3Dprint revolutionizes 3D printing landscape with the A2200 Multi-material Electronics Printer

New NIR SLA Process Allows Multi Material and Color Printing

Researchers at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh have developed a new 3D printing technique that has the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing industry. Led... read more »

News
New NIR SLA Process Allows Multi Material and Color Printing

3D Bioprinting Gives Hope to Breast Cancer Patients

Breast cancer patients who have undergone mastectomy procedures often face challenges in finding suitable solutions to restore the nipple area. This absence of... read more »

Bioprinting
3D Bioprinting Gives Hope to Breast Cancer Patients

Researchers Print Smartphone Blood Pressure Monitor

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a low-cost smartphone attachment that enables blood pressure monitoring at users' fingertips. The... read more »

Medical
Researchers Print Smartphone Blood Pressure Monitor

CSIRO Using Additive Manufacturing to Develop Hydrogen Generator

Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, has received a $10 million investment from Advanced Carbon Engineering to develop a portable hydrogen generator. The generator... read more »

3D Printing Metal
CSIRO Using Additive Manufacturing to Develop Hydrogen Generator

Hands-On Review: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s

Anycubic has just released the Anycubic Photon Mono M5s, which is the first consumer grade, leveling-free resin printer with a 12k LCD screen.... read more »

3D Printers
Hands-On Review: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s

Researchers Print Microphones Inspired by Insect Ears

Researchers are developing tiny 3D printed microphones inspired by insect ears that can accurately determine the direction of a sound. Currently, bulky and... read more »

News
Researchers Print Microphones Inspired by Insect Ears

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
  • Twitter Twitter 3D Printing
  • Geeetech Mizar M Geeetech Mizar M
    255 x 255 x 260 mm
    $399
    Buy Now
  • Geeetech Mizar S Geeetech Mizar S
    255 x 255 x 260 mm
    $279
    Buy Now
  • Geeetech A30T Geeetech A30T
    320 x 320 x 420 mm
    $449
    Buy Now
  • Geeetech THUNDER Geeetech THUNDER
    250 x 250 x 260 mm
    $489
    Buy Now
  • Geeetech ALKAID Geeetech ALKAID
    82 x 130 x 190 mm
    $99
    Buy Now
  • Modix BIG-60 Modix BIG-60
    600 x 600 x 660 mm
    $4,900
    Buy Now
creality
  • Hands-On Review: The Mole 3D Scanner Hands-On Review: The Mole 3D Scanner Learn More
  • Hands-On Review: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s Hands-On Review: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s Learn More

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Modix BIG Meter Modix BIG Meter
    1010 x 1010 x 1010 mm
    from $13,500
    Request a Quote
  • Industry MAGNUM Industry MAGNUM
    1500 x 1200 x 1200 mm
    €159.000
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG-120Z Modix BIG-120Z
    600 x 600 x 1200 mm
    from $7,500
    Request a Quote
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Companies

  • Modix
  • Industry
  • Geeetech

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2023 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing
We serve cookies on this site to analyze traffic, remember your preferences, and optimize your experience.
Details
Close