Japan researchers create tongue-operated wheelchair

A group of researchers in Japan has developed an electronic wheelchair that users can operate with their tongue using a silicone sheet attached to the chin.

The invention is more comfortable than previous models, as it does not require a device to be placed inside the user’s mouth. This will be a huge boost as there are many people with spinal cord damage who can move their tongues but not the hands and feet.

The wheelchair uses faint electric signals generated by moving the muscles that come into play while opening the mouth and swallowing food. The user attaches a silicone sheet with multiple electrodes to the jaw that send signals to a computer. When the tongue moves in a certain direction, the computer recognizes the signals and instructs the wheelchair to move in the direction indicated.

Watch in Sign Language

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OlyXtesob4E%3Fenablejsapi%3D1%26rel%3D0