1. Group 5 Jessica Cate Barnett Maria Bextermueller Ashley White

2. Key Words  Magnetic sensors  Virtual Computer  Maysam Ghovanloo  Independence for the Disabled

3.  Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology are the masterminds behind The Human Tongue as a Computer.  Maysam Ghovanloo is a Georgia Tech assistant professor who leads the research team.  This emerging technology focuses on a virtual computer, turning the teeth into a keyboard and the tongue into a joystick that controls everything. There is still a long way to go with the virtual computer but early test are encouraging.

4. The Human Tongue Computer turns the tongue into a joystick. This system makes it possible for someone to control everything around them hands free. The system is composed of a magnet which is placed under the person’s tongue to observe their movement. Sensors are placed beside each cheek to identify the magnet’s movement. The data is then passed through a receiver, which is contained in the person’s headgear. A main computer processes the information to interpret the data and perform the tasks.

5. One day the Tongue-Computer system will take the small and gentle movements of your tongue and turn them into direct commands for a specific task.  Turning on the lights  Turning on the Television  Operating a wheelchair  Being hands free

6. Maysam Ghovanloo

7. Maysam Ghovanloo & his research team at Georgia originally invented The Human Tongue as a Computer for disabled people. When someone is paralyzed the tongues movement is normally unaffected because the tongue is attached to the brain instead of the spinal cord.

8. “You could have full control over your environment by just being able to move your tongue.” – Maysam Ghovanloo

9. Advantages Of The Human Tongue as a Computer  A Disabled person is able to do everyday tasks.  The tongue is not normally affected when someone is paralyzed.  The price is not as expensive as other resources to help disabled people communicate.  Easy to learn  The tongue does not tire easily.

10. Questions?  How does The Human Tongue as a Computer receive the movements of a persons tongue?  The Human Tongue as a Computer can perform what everyday tasks?  Who was The Human Tongue as a Computer originally designed for?  Who leads the research for The Human Tongue as a Computer?  How does The Human Tongue as a Computer work in a person with a complete spinal cord paralysis?