Hyderabad student builds tongue-controlled device for paralysis patients

Hyderabad: M Balu, a third-year biomedical engineering student at Osmania University, has developed a wearable device that lets paralysis and limb-loss patients control phones and wheelchairs using tongue movements.

Inspired by his father’s stroke, Balu built the “Tongue Capacitive Touch Control Assistive Device” into a custom dental aligner. It uses touch sensors and Bluetooth to operate smartphones, laptops and other devices without hands.

The prototype uses a microcontroller, rechargeable battery, and two sensors sealed inside a medical-grade aligner. It currently supports basic functions like scrolling. Future updates aim to add typing and wheelchair control.

Developed under mentor Dr KE Ch Vidyasagar, the device took six months. Balu plans clinical trials and a patent next.

Designed to be affordable, it is expected to cost between Rs 5,000 and Rs 7,000 commercially.