Augmental Launches Tongue-Controlled MouthPad and Vox Voice Pendant

The MouthPad, which fits over the upper teeth like a slim retainer, translates tongue gestures and head movements into precise cursor control. Since its 2024 early access debut, the device has been adopted by over 100 users with mobility challenges. Performance data indicates that skilled users can achieve control speeds of 10.47 bits per second, rivaling the accuracy of invasive brain-computer interfaces without requiring surgery. Each unit is custom-fabricated, priced at $1,400 plus a $100 dental scan fee.

Vox serves as the system's vocal counterpart. Inspired by stethoscope technology, the pendant captures sound through the body rather than the air, effectively filtering out ambient noise and allowing for whisper-quiet dictation. CEO and co-founder Tomás Vega, who developed the concept to assist his own communication, designed the hardware to be activated only by deliberate physical triggers. The company intends to integrate Vox with the MouthPad to eventually enable "silent speech" interfaces, where tongue patterns and acoustic data combine to form text input without audible sound. Beta units for Vox are currently priced at $200, with proceeds directed toward subsidizing MouthPad costs for those in need.