I'm sure everyone would agree the human tongue is an amazing piece of flesh. It does a great job helping us taste food. Some would even say that it is an integral part of a good kiss. For those who are paralyzed, however, a potentially more important job has recently been given to this small, flexible organ – that of tongue drive.

Using grant money that has been provided by the National Science Foundation and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a way for those with severe mobility impairments to use their tongues to control wheelchairs, computers, and potentially, a whole slew of other devices that were previously inaccessible.

For Mobility Devices, Tongue Drive May Surpass Sip-Puff System
Developed under the direction of assistant professor Maysam Ghovanloo, the Tongue Drive is simpler and yet more effective than the sip-puff system used by many individuals who rely on mobility devices.

It requires less energy from those whose breathing capabilities might be limited. It also has the potential to offer users a wider range of commands than the on/off-type switching mechanism of the sip-puff system.

How the Tongue Drive Works
The Tongue Drive is different from previous control devices in one key way. It depends on the movements of a tiny magnet, which has to be glued onto the surface of the tongue or surgically implanted into the tip.

That magnet is part of a three-stage system. Sensors mounted to a headset or worn as part of an orthodontic brace detect movements of the tongue and translate them into electrical signals. The signals are then transmitted to a portable computer, which in turn translates them into commands for the device the user wishes to control.

You have to work a bit with the system to “train” it, but it can learn and adapt to your needs and abilities. For example, touching a tooth could become one command while tapping the roof of the mouth could be another.

According to Ghovanloo, the tongue was selected as the optimal placement for the magnet because the nerves that control it are generally not affected by either spinal cord injuries or disease.

What Can the Tongue Drive Do Today?
Presently only two devices are capable of taking commands from the Tongue Drive system: computer pointers and wheelchair joysticks. Future versions will allow access to communication tools, giving speech impaired users better interaction with the world.

Researchers are also looking into how to deal with potential problems that may arise from unintentional movement of the tongue (during sleeping and eating, for instance). Future versions will incorporate a "sleep" command to disable the system.

If this system proves to be as effective as researchers hope, users might be able to lead more productive and independent lives. No more need to ask for help turning on a computer. No more asking a family member to help move your wheelchair into a new position. And isn't independence everyone's ultimate goal?

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For more information about assistive technology and adaptive driving, see Power System Boon for Adaptive Driving, Wheelchair Users.

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