Augmental

We're thrilled to announce that Augmental is coming out of stealth to unveil the MouthPad^, a novel interface that lets you control your digital devices hands-free using tongue and other mouth gestures! As technology continues to play an increasingly important role in our lives, we need better control interfaces to engage with our digital worlds. The MouthPad^ leverages the intrinsic dexterity of the tongue, providing new levels of access and interaction. The MouthPad^ offers precise and expressive cursor control. Custom-designed for comfort and safety, it fits snugly in your mouth. It’s virtually invisible to the world, but always available to you. At Augmental, we believe technology should be accessible to everybody. We have worked closely with people in the disability community to create an inclusive interface, which we hope contributes to the next generation of accessible technologies and infrastructure. Whether you're a gamer, astronaut, surgeon, or factory worker, the MouthPad^ is a helping hand in professions of all kinds. At home, kick back in new ways, from making art to DJ’ing music and disco lights. The MouthPad^ offers infinite possibilities at the tip of your tongue! Ready to join the hands-free revolution? Visit us at https://lnkd.in/etjTznqq to learn more about the MouthPad^ and how it's making technology more inclusive for everyone. #HandsFreeTech #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #MouthPad^ Special thanks to Krystina Jackson RockyNoHands Stoutenburgh Nicholas Clothier Brooke Ellison Tony Schmiesing !

After nearly 5 years in the garage, we’re stoked to announce our $4M Seed round led by SCI Ventures, Murata, Revere Partners, LivEdge Capital, Fen Ventures, Carao Ventures, and Tesserakt Ventures. 🎉 It’s an honor to have backing from experts in the neuro, dental, electronics, and disability spaces and to keep improving human-computer interaction, inspired by real humans. With these resources, we’ll be able to get MouthPads^ to more people and unlock FDA clearance for insurance funding and wheelchair control. And look out for V2: MouthPad^Audio, for whisper + silent speech. We truly believe that by designing for those who are most constrained, we can make solutions that are better for everybody. Bows to our angels for being with us on the journey: Eric Migicovsky, Nirav Patel, Josh Spear, Joseph O'Doherty, and many other amazing humans. And thanks to Naveen Rao for telling our story! Check it out: https://lnkd.in/grdqgdv5

"Humans are remarkably adaptable,” says Mike Hastings. It takes one to know one. A cybersecurity expert and consultant for people with recent spinal cord injuries, Mike switched to the MouthPad^ this summer after 25 years with the trusty mouth stick. He’s mastered his device, using it every day — up to 16 hours in a day — and even inspiring new features on the way. “The MouthPad^ creates minimal friction between myself and my device, allowing me to fully immerse in the operating system,” Mike writes in a recent review of the MouthPad^. Check out Mike’s remarkable story and read his full review on our new “Our Users” page: https://lnkd.in/ga5nDmnw

The Augmental team is expanding! https://lnkd.in/gYNgqCZ8 We are looking to hire two roles, both crucial for our mission: 1. Sales Representative (ATP / OT) Full-time | San Francisco, CA / Remote (US) Lead partnerships with ATPs, OTs, and rehab centers to expand access to the MouthPad^, our hands-free computer controller. https://lnkd.in/gSQ-q5Kx 2. Assistive Technology Funding Specialist Contractor Contract | Remote (US) Identify and secure funding opportunities to ensure those in need can receive our technology. Sources include vocational, workers' compensation, and waiver programs, as well as grants. https://lnkd.in/g4YMwdAT If someone in your network might be interested, please share this post! This is an opportunity to work on a product already having an amazing impact on people's lives.

Media Lab spinoff Augmental is developing input devices to help people with movement impairments use computers, smartphones, and tablets. Its first product, the MouthPad, is a pressure-sensitive touchpad that sits on the roof of the mouth, and translates tongue and head gestures into cursor scrolling and clicks in real time via Bluetooth. “What we hope to provide one day is an always-available, robust, and private interface to intelligence,” says co-founder Tomás Vega, an alum of the Media Lab’s Fluid Interfaces research group.

It translates tongue gestures into clicks and scrolls. Technology has the power to transform #healthcare. Learn more in our ‘Global Health and Healthcare Strategic Outlook’: https://ow.ly/LZeQ50SGZam Augmental #SCI #SpinalCordInjury #Tech

We’re honored to share that the MouthPad^ has been featured in WIRED Japan! The June 2024 issue highlights the MouthPad^ as one of the key devices for spatial computing, alongside the Apple Vision Pro. From WIRED: “Resistant to fatigue and skilled in fine movements. MouthPad^ is an in-mouth trackpad that utilizes these characteristics of the tongue, shared by the finger. Encased in medical-grade resin, it incorporates a gyroscope and a touchpad to track the position of the tongue and the orientation of the head. It can be used as an input device for various devices. In a world where eye-tracking and hand gestures are mainstream, it offers a more accessible alternative.” Grab a copy of issue number 53 and stay tuned for updates on how the MouthPad^ is redefining human-computer interaction — and making it available for everyone. https://lnkd.in/g5tF3hXx

Media Lab spinoff Augmental is developing input devices to help people with movement impairments use computers, smartphones, and tablets. Its first product, the MouthPad, is a pressure-sensitive touchpad that sits on the roof of the mouth, and translates tongue and head gestures into cursor scrolling and clicks in real time via Bluetooth. “Our hope is to create an interface that is multimodal, so you can choose what works for you,” says co-founder Tomás Vega, an alum of the Media Lab’s Fluid Interfaces research group. “We want to be accommodating to every condition.”

3 years ago, my brother sustained a spinal cord injury which left him paralyzed from the waist down. Paralysis has dramatic impacts - beyond the loss of movement, it affects many other functions - bladder, bowel, respiratory... After the accident, I reached out to dozens of scientific teams. I tried to understand who was working on what, and how far we were from functional recovery. I ended up quite frustrated - I could see exciting innovation and progress in the lab, but no vehicle to help translate it and bring it to the real world. Meanwhile, 15 million people live with paralysis today and are left with limited options. That is why it feels special to me to announce SCI Ventures - the first philanthropic venture fund created to catalyze the next generation of treatments for paralysis. Recent scientific and technological advancements have made recovery from paralysis a real possibility - our fund will serve as a catalyst to bringing promising breakthroughs to the clinic. We will invest in early-stage companies developing the next generation of treatments, targeting functional improvement in the near term while also backing the ultimate goal of a cure. I don't know when we will get to a cure - but with the backing & combined network of the leading Foundations in the US, EU and UK , I am confident we will be the best game in town to activate the market and spark more innovation in the field! And since spinal cord injury is a natural starting point for many other complex conditions – stroke and neurodegenerative disorders – the technologies we back will yield impact beyond the SCI community. Very grateful to our backing Foundations - Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation who initiated the model, Spinal Research, Wings for Life - Spinal Cord Research Foundation , Promobilia Foundation, Shepherd Center and to the philanthropy-minded families that are supporting us and donating not just capital but also time and expertise (Ian Curtis, Tom Londres Jean-Baptiste WAUTIER Willie Watt Fotis Hasiotis Niall El-Assaad Monique Cohen Rob Shelton, Ann Gloag, Jon Ayers ...). If you are working on exciting tech in neuro-regeneration, or feel passionate about making a difference in the space - reach out !

“It's given me a spark.” The MouthPad^ is out in the world, transforming users’ lives at work, in play, and everything in between. For Keely Horch, a student at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, the MouthPad^ is an important tool in the classroom, and a “layer of freedom” wherever she goes. “I’m excited about the future because of the independence I have now from the MouthPad^,” says Keely. “Being able to stay up late to do homework or play games, it gives me a sense of normalcy. “It’s given me the motivation to want to take control of my life.” An incoming sophomore, Keely is studying math and computer engineering. She uses her MouthPad^ to code, draw equations, and take notes during lecture, where voice control is not an option. (And, most recently, to conquer the whole Augmental team at Catan.) Check out Keely's story in the video below. This past year, Augmental worked with 40 early-access customers, each with unique abilities or mobility challenges, to enhance the MouthPad^s capabilities and refine the user onboarding journey. The MouthPad^ Early Access program is quickly expanding to everyone in the US. Join our waitlist to reserve your spot! https://lnkd.in/gTVkuPvq