A neckband has been developed that allows people with disabilities to 'talk'
to a computer without having to vocalise the words.
The
Audeo
device picks up nerve impulses in the neck as they head towards the vocal cords.
It then interprets these as words and sends them directly to a computer via
encrypted wireless transmission.
Advertisement
"Audeo will allow people with disabilities to express their thoughts and
ideas, an aspect of life which is often taken for granted," said Michael
Callahan, chief executive of Ambient Corporation which created the device.
"Stephen Hawking accomplishes this through the movement of one of his fingers
which has remained controllable despite his disease. Unfortunately, most
[similar] patients lose all motor control and have no way of conveying their
ideas.
"It is our hope that the Audeo will give people back this ability and allow
many more profound ideas to change the world through communication."
The device has initially been designed for voice control of wheelchairs and
for those who have lost the power of speech.
Audeo will allow people with disabilities to express their thoughts and ideas
Michael Callahan Chief executive, Ambient Corporation
But other applications could include police surveillance work, or employees
in processor clean rooms where speech is difficult.
Like voice recognition software the device requires the user to train it over
time, but the learning period is being cut down with better software and faster
processors.
So far the device is limited to 150 words but Ambient Corporation hopes to
have an unlimited vocabulary version available by the end of the year.
Do you agree?
Have your say on this article