The ability to control a computer without touching a keyboard or mouse is no longer just science fiction. Augmental’s MouthPad lets users control devices with tongue, head, and suction gestures. The company also unveiled VOX, a companion accessory designed to provide a more discreet and private voice-typing experience.
Shaped like a clear orthodontic retainer, the MouthPad is custom-built for each user using a 3D dental scan. A mouth-worn device uses tongue movements to control cursor actions like clicking, dragging, and scrolling.
Besides tracking tongue movements, the system also detects head tilts and other gestures through built-in sensors, providing multiple interaction methods based on the user’s preferences and needs. It connects via Bluetooth and works with Windows, macOS, and Linux computers, as well as Android and iOS devices.
MouthPad Expands Beyond Accessibility to Hands-Free Computing
According to Augmental, the MouthPad was designed mainly to help people with limited mobility, but the company sees broader applications. It envisions wearable interfaces like this becoming a natural, hands-free way for anyone to interact with digital devices. Over 100 people use the device daily, with a waiting list of more than 6,300 users.
The company also introduced VOX, a lightweight microphone worn around the neck. In addition to capturing ambient sound, it detects vibrations transmitted through the body, enabling users to dictate text or communicate with AI assistants in a very quiet voice. This approach improves privacy while reducing interference from background noise during speech recognition.
Together, MouthPad and VOX provide a fully hands-free computing experience. MouthPad replaces the mouse by translating tongue movements into cursor controls, while VOX serves as a voice keyboard. Users can move the cursor, select a text field, and begin dictating simply by activating the microphone with a gesture.
Future Technology Aims for Silent Human-Computer Communication
According to the company, work is already underway on the next generation of the technology. The plan is to combine the movement data captured by MouthPad with the voice signals detected by VOX to create silent communication systems that can interpret a user’s intent without requiring audible speech. This concept, known as silent speech, has long been a focus of human-computer interaction research.
MouthPad weighs about 10 grams, measures roughly one millimeter thick, and provides more than seven hours of continuous use on a single charge. It comes with a charging case, supports fast switching between Bluetooth-connected devices, and can be customized through a companion app that lets users adjust sensitivity, cursor speed, and gesture controls.
The device is currently available in the United States for US$1,400, excluding the cost of the dental scan required for its custom fit. VOX is undergoing beta testing at US$200, with the company planning shipments for the end of 2026.
Read the original article on: nerdizmo
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