After tactile interfaces, voice, eye tracking or even electroencephalography, researchers have found a new method to interact with electronic devices: the tongue. The SilentSpeller allows you to write messages simply by silently spelling the words.
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Imagine that it is possible to write on your smartphone or your computer without hands, without voice, simply by silently spelling out the words. This is what a team of researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States offers with a smart dental device. The research is carried out by Thad Starner, who had notably participated in the development of eyewear Google Glass.
The device was named SilentSpeller, which could be translated as ” silent spelling “. This is actually a misuse of a device called SmartPalate, used by some speech therapists to work on pronunciation. The device, which covers the palate, incorporates 124 sensors that detect movements of the language. Normally, these results are displayed on a screen to allow the patient to visualize his manner of articulation and to correct it.
One of the researchers demonstrates the use of the SilentSpeller for writing while performing other tasks or in noisy environments. © Alex Olwal, Georgia Institute of Technology
An error rate of only 3%
With SilentSpeller, language movements are automatically analyzed to identify spoken letters, or even entire words. The researchers managed to achieve an accuracy of 97% for letters and 93% for words, which they compare to using a miniaturized keyboard, like on a smartphone screen.
The current prototype is quite bulky and must be connected by a cable. However, the researchers plan to improve it, including adding lip sensors to improve accuracy. The SilentSpeller could eventually become a way to enter text with augmented reality glasses or even with a smartphone to keep your hands free. However, the device could mainly help people with motor disorders, such as Parkinson disease, or suffering from a disability.
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