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Universal Controller can receive commands from muscle twitch, joystick, head array, and other inputs, thus providing the user with more independence and control over their lives.
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Invention Summary A new Universal Controller for individuals who are completely paralyzed (quadriplegia/tetraplegia) has been developed at the University of Utah and is available for licensing. This assistive technology greatly expands the number of input commands for an assistive controller over the current standard by allowing concurrent inputs from a variety of devices. In addition to the standard Sip-and-Puff input used in most systems today, the Universal Controller can also receive commands from muscle twitch, joystick, head array, and other inputs, thus providing the user with more independence and control over their lives than current devices. The Universal Controller is also programmable. A nearly infinite number of patterns from any input device can be generated into sequences and customized based on the abilities and preferences of the user. This requires less calibration and allows for a greater number of unique commands to be set than devices in use today. Value Proposition The programmable assistive controller allows for an unlimited number of commands, making the device more personal and easier to use than current systems. The technology is dynamic and can be used in many different applications such as wheelchairs, various electronics, and adaptive sports equipment. Market Opportunity The target market for this technology is individuals who are completely paralyzed but wish to gain more independence over their lives. There are currently 895,000 of these potential customers in the U.S.