You can now purchase a computer mouse that is operated solely with your tongue.

      Augmental has commenced public sales of the MouthPad, unveiling a novel wearable device that enables hands-free typing.

      Augmental first showcased its tongue-controlled MouthPad as a CES novelty in 2024. Now, it has transitioned into a tangible product available for purchase, as the company initiates public sales in the US and launches a beta version of Vox, a wearable designed to manage the typing aspect of Augmental’s vision for hands-free computing.

      A retainer that functions as a mouse

      The MouthPad is custom-fitted for each user, resembling a slim retainer that covers the upper teeth. It includes a pressure-sensitive trackpad that rests on the palate and, when paired with head tracking, allows users to control a cursor, click, and swipe. Users can customize every gesture through a companion app. Augmental reports that over 100 individuals with mobility challenges already utilize it daily, with some relying on it for as many as 16 hours each day.

      Earlier this year, Augmental released an updated second-generation model, which added functionality for tongue-activated keyboard shortcuts and a remapped WASD layout for gaming. The new version also extended battery life to over 7 hours and allows pairing with multiple devices at once.

      According to Augmental, a user recently achieved 10.47 bits per second in a cursor accuracy test, a benchmark the company highlights as evidence of the device's precision, asserting that it matches implanted brain-computer interfaces. Priced at $1,400, plus approximately $100 for a necessary dental scan, the MouthPad is significantly less expensive than a surgical brain implant, avoiding the need for an operation entirely.

      A pendant that transforms a whisper into a keystroke

      If the MouthPad serves as Augmental’s equivalent of a mouse, then Vox acts as its keyboard counterpart. This small pendant rests against the skin and detects speech through body vibrations instead of through open air, employing a design inspired by stethoscopes that helps eliminate background noise and capture whispered dictation. Users can activate Vox with a button or a tongue gesture when paired with the MouthPad, enabling them to send messages or converse with an AI assistant without needing to raise their voices in public.

      This intentional activation serves as a privacy feature that sets Vox apart from other always-listening AI devices. The wearable will be available in beta for $200 later this year, with the profits from its initial production run used to fund MouthPads for individuals who require them. In the long run, Augmental aims to integrate the acoustic data from Vox with tongue movement patterns from the MouthPad to create what it calls silent speech, allowing users to communicate with devices without making any noise.

      Pranob is an experienced tech journalist with more than eight years of experience in consumer technology coverage. His work has been…

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