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[IbizaPocholo]

This Joystick For Your Tongue Could Be a More Inclusive Controller For Future Devices

As the world inevitably moves towards devices like smart glasses and screens that follow us everywhere, we’re going to need hands free ways to interact

gizmodo.com

As the world inevitably moves towards devices like smart glasses and screens that follow us everywhere, we’re going to need hands free ways to interact with our apps. Dorothee Clasen wonders if our tongues could potentially replace our fingers using a joystick worn inside the mouth.

The [In]Brace is part of Clasen’s master thesis in Human-Computer Interaction design and research and is made from a plastic retainer, customized for each user’s mouth, that’s wired to a wifi module worn behind the ear. On the retainer itself is a simple set of electronics including a smooth spherical element embedded with a magnet allowing sensors to detect its simple back and forth movements.

The wire running from the retainer to the wireless earpiece doesn’t exactly make the prototype look comfortable to wear, but it minimizes the number of components that have to be placed inside the mouth, including the battery. If the idea ever goes beyond the research stage, the design of the [In]Brace could definitely be streamlined and improved, with the ideal solution seeing it being entirely sealed and self-contained for safety as saliva and batteries probably don’t mix well.

The multiple sensors in the retainer are able to detect the position of the magnetic sphere as it moves back and forth along a wire track, it’s not limited to just being detected in one position or another like an on/off switch. This not only makes interacting with the [In]Brace more nuanced, but it allows for a greater range of control and customizability, including gestures (like quickly flicking the sphere forwards and back with the tongue) which expands the usefulness of the unique controller.

 

[Nikana]

My tongue is busy doing other things during games. Stay outta my mouth games.

 

[God Enel]

 

[#Phonepunk#]

thats cool. i have seen people make synthesizers out of spoons, using the shape of your mouth to shape the sound. this is rad.

wonder how many buttons it can do. wouldn't imagine you could play a modern game with this. maybe Pac-Man!

 

[Zenaku]

One step closer to an IT racing game.

 

[Orthodox Gaming Dad]

sounds like they came up with the name first and then the product. Utterly ridiculous

 

[jaysius]

It'll never catch on, 9 y/os can't spout racism and other hate while "pwning" you.

It's a good device though for differently abled people, good for them.

 

[Slings and Arrows]

Mix this with vr porn and we're away

 

[Aggressive Carrot]

This is not something I would use but I can see the benefits of this device.

It'll never catch on, 9 y/os can't spout racism and other hate while "pwning" you.

It's a good device though for differently abled people, good for them.

You would be surprised by how many of those 9 year olds are actually adults.

 

[T.v]

Sure, playing Pong that only has one axis of movement would work but how are you ever going to play anything that requires more button presses?

 

[Pejo]

Sure, playing Pong that only has one axis of movement would work but how are you ever going to play anything that requires more button presses?

I look at it like a proof of concept. Really cool for disabled people to be able to have some sort of interaction that doesn't depend on appendages.

Plus, this is something new/still being developed. It's not like everyone was instantly good with the N64 controller when it released.

This is a great example of accessibility.