ICE Bucket Challenge? Here is an AAC Device for Speech Impaired People, including ALS, which will help them to communicate in the normal form of Speech.
New Delhi, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/18/2014 -- Coming from a Google Science Fair 2014 Top 15 Global Finalist, TALK is a device which helps Speech Impaired and almost entirely paralysed people to communicate like never before. When wearing the device, a person uses variations in his breath to spell out letters, convey emotions or feelings or even speak out specific, predefined commands. Using acute sensors and sophisticated software that can decipher and translate Morse Code sent from the Breath, the device can increase the rate a speech impaired person can communicate by up to 300% as compared to current devices.
"TALK is an Augmentative and Alternative Communication Device (AAC) which enables people with Developmental Disabilities like Locked-In Syndrome & Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Speech Impairments like Dysarthria and even Mutes to communicate using a normal form of speech.", says Arsh Shah Dilbagi inventor of TALK and Google Science Fair 2014 Global Finalist.
TALK works when the user simply places a sensor underneath either their nose or mouth and then exhales in short or long bursts. A short burst of breath will be interpreted as a dot in Morse Code and a long breath will be interpreted as a dash. An ear piece lets the user know when the word has been completed. These steps can be repeated quickly to complete sentences and phrases. Once the user has finished, the device will read out the words that they have created. TALK can also be programmed with frequently used words or phrases so that the end user can more quickly and efficiently communicate what they would like to say.
The users don't have to learn complicated matrix maps to select the right symbols to synthesis speech nor do they have to strain their eyes by gazing over at a screen to express themselves. They only have to exhale, which they do thousands of times a day, to share their expressions or feelings.
Arsh Shah Dilbagi will be presenting TALK, along with 14 other finalists; at Google HQ, Mount View, California this September; to an esteemed panel of judges. He has also put a Crowdfunding Campaign into motion - http://igg.me/at/talkaac to actually help the people in need.