Mouthguard controls electronic devices through biting

Led by Professor Liu Xiaogang from the National University of Singapore (NUS) Department of Chemistry, the team claims to have created a first-of-its-kind bite-controlled optoelectronic system. Individuals who have limited hand function could use it to control devices such as computers, smartphones and wheelchairs.

Assistive technologies such as voice recognition, eye tracking and brain-computer interfaces have been developed in recent years to help people — especially those with limited dexterity or neurological disorders — control electronic devices.

However, the team pointed out that these technologies have limitations associated with environmental interference, control accuracy, cost and maintenance. 

Voice recognition, for example, requires a large operating memory and needs to operate in a low-noise environment, while eye tracking requires a camera to be mounted in front of the user and is prone to fatigue. Although brain-computer interfaces have improved in recent years, this technology is invasive and requires cumbersome wired instruments.

Together with his team, including collaborators from Tsinghua University, Prof Liu designed and demonstrated the mouthguard which contains integrated pressure sensors to detect occlusal patterns.