Development of Speech-enabled Intraoral Soft Input Device

Abstract

We have developed an intraoral input device using tongue. This device contains three photo-reflectors in a balloon of silicone rubber and it can measure the quantity and direction of the pushing force of silicone rubber film. By using this device, we can make a controller that generates information by the tongue. We have applied this device to control a robotic arm for a third arm for soldering workers, to control an electric wheelchair for the physically challenged, and to control a VR device. In all these applications, we have achieved very good operability. However, there is a drawback that we cannot speak while using this device. In this paper, we developed a speech enabled intraoral input device. The sensor was miniaturized to reduce the inhibition of tongue movement. In addition, the mouthpiece was improved to allow the voice to pass through, and at the same time, we worked on maintaining operability. As a result, we were able to develop an intraoral input device with good utterance and operability.