We have tried to develop an Integrated Tongue Operation Assistive System; "I-to-AS". The "I-to-AS" is an assistive control system used to operate powered wheelchairs (PWC), Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices and some other environment control devices, for seriously disabled people. In our preliminary study, the "I-to-AS" only had a mouthpiece type remote controller input device. So to add a secondary input device, we developed an intraoral mini-joystick. This has a 3-axes force sensor to detect the direction and magnitude of the operational force. The mini-joystick also has 1-axis force sensor to measure the user's biting pressure. For safety, the system will only work while normal pressure is applied on this sensor, but it won't work while abnormally low or high pressure is applied. To investigate the maneuverability of the intraoral mini-joystick, five able-bodied candidates drove a PWC by using the intraoral mini-joystick. The driving time of operation by tongue and by normal-joystick were compared. The driving time by tongue was 38.0±6.1[s]. It was about 40% slower than that of the normal-joystick but it was short enough and easy to control. These results suggest the possibility this system would be effective as an assistive tool for severely disabled people.

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