The mouth mouse: an intuitive tongue controller of electronic systems designed specifically for individuals with severe upper limb impairment - this phase II sbir proposal addresses the ACL-nidilrr…

The mouth mouse: an intuitive tongue controller of electronic systems designed specifically for individuals with severe upper limb impairment - this phase II sbir proposal addresses the ACL-nidilrr priority focus of enhancing opportunities for individuals with disabilities of all types to engage in employment through the development of accessible information technology devices which promote access to information in educational, employment, and community settings. KTM, the small business concern successfully developed and tested a bluetooth tongue controller in sbir phase i programming. The mouth mouse is designed to give people with complete paralysis the ability to easily interface with computers, tablets and smartphones. KTM will build on these successes over the course of phase II with a specific goal of reducing the size of the device so that speech is intelligible while using the mouth mouse. The proposal is structured around 3 separate but highly-related aims. Aims 1 and 2 are designed to reduce the size of the phase i device and to develop a workflow that is scalable as a commercial product. Aim 3 will provide necessary data to critically evaluate performance of the mouth mouse in an intended use setting by participants with severe upper limb impairment. These data will be shared with stakeholders to gauge market readiness of our technology designed specifically for individuals with paralysis. The direct outcome of phase II will be a highly effective and easy-to-use computing and communication input device, the modular mouth mouse, providing individuals with paralysis easier and better access to technologies needed to succeed in academia, the workplace, and greater independence at home and in the community.