Oral Skills

Wired magazine describes a new technology that enables an individual to drive a wheelchair with tongue movements. A small sensor is placed on the tongue and a headset measures the tongue’s position inside the mouth. The system could also be used to control a computer.

My tongue isn’t the most limber muscle in my body (although my friends might say it gets plenty of exercise), but I’d be willing to give this system a try. I’m assuming that talking and driving is out of the question, which might be inconvenient. I’m imagining a future where I can control my entire environment with tongue thrusts, blink, and slight head movements. I’ll look like I’m tweaked out on amphetamines, but that may be the price of greater independence.