MIT spinoff’s MouthPad lets you control computers (and vibrators) with your tongue

The MouthPad, an inventive mouthpiece that functions as a tongue-activated Bluetooth mouse, has recently been developed and tested with various devices, including sextech products.

Resembling a high-tech mouthguard used in sports, the MouthPad features a trackpad that allows the user’s tongue to control a cursor on a computer connected via Bluetooth. A tongue press functions as a ‘left click,’ while a sip gesture serves as a ‘right click.’ This unique device is primarily designed for individuals with limited hand mobility.

Augmental Technologies Inc., an MIT Media Lab spinoff, developed the MouthPad, which is currently undergoing beta testing in the United States. The company hopes to obtain Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification for the device and launch it on the market in late 2023. Pricing information has not been announced yet.

While full details of the MouthPad’s compatibility with sextech products have not been disclosed, this application is definitely on Augmental’s radar. Krystina Jackson, an artist who holds the title of Ms Wheelchair California and identifies as a “sex enthusiast,” was recruited for testing. Jackson shared that she connected the device to her vibrator, resulting in an “intensified” experience.

Corten Singer, co-founder of Augmental, discussed the sextech applications of the MouthPad with TechCrunch, stating, “It’s just part of this conversation that we think should be had… it’s at the core, it’s a theme of universal accessibility and digital equity across the board.”

The MouthPad is compatible with MacOS, Windows, and Linux computers, as well as iOS and Android phones. To personalize the device, users have their mouths scanned to create a 3D model, which is then used to customize the MouthPad’s shape. The touchpad is designed to be protected from contact with saliva and other liquids.

Tomás Vega, co-founder and engineer at Augmental, emphasized the importance of accessibility, saying, “As our lives become increasingly intertwined with technology, and the world expands from the physical to the digital, it’s more important than ever to ensure that everyone has equal access to control inputs and new interfaces.”