# Paralytic Oral Piercings The Tongue Drive Lets the Disabled Control Their Wheelchairs with Mouths By Meghan Young | Published 2012-03-12 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tongue-drive References: [dvice](http://dvice.com/archives/2012/03/tongue-drive-le.php) & [popsci](http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-02/medical-tongue-piercing-and-retainer-used-control-wheelchair) The [Tongue Drive](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tough-tongue-ai-1) is an ingenious device that allows disabled and paralyzed individuals to control their wheelchairs with their mouths. A cross between an upper retainer and a tongue piercing, the system is simply slipped into the mouth in order to help one cruise around easily, conveniently and, most importantly, hands-free. Developed by researchers from [Georgia Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magtrack), the Tongue Drive's magnetic piercing activates various sensors along the retainer. When the piercing is pressed against specific areas of the waterproof retainer, it sends signals to move in particular directions. The Tongue Drive works with iPods and [iPhones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/macbook-neo-2) to translate these signals into actual commands. Currently in its testing phase, the Tongue Drive is part of a new crop of wheelchair controls that are highly customizable. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 20% | Activity: 36% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Tongue Drive Technology:** Merging piercing and retainer technology to read signals from the tongue, enabling the control of wheelchairs. - **Customizable Wheelchair Controls:** Creating customizable solutions for wheelchair controls to enhance the mobility of disabled individuals. - **Hands-free Technology for Mobility:** Developing advanced technology to enable disabled individuals to drive hands-free. ### Where This Applies - **Medical Devices:** Innovating assistive technologies to enhance the mobility of disabled individuals. - **Technology:** Creating cutting-edge devices that read signals to provide assistive technologies for mobility and accessibility. - **Engineering:** Designing new mechanisms to provide innovative mobility solutions for the disabled community. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Tongue-Controlled Digital Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-interfaces.md) - [Smart Health-Monitoring Mouthpieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mouthio.md) - [Mind-Controlled Wheelchair Developments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jos-milln.md) - [Motion Tracking Eye Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magtrack.md) - [Consolidated Eye-Tracking Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eyetracking-platform.md) - [Assistive Brain-Sensing Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/think2switch.md) - [Stroke Recovery Wearable Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-earpiece.md) - [Speech Rehabilitation Aid Chokers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/revoice.md) - [Assistive Manual Wheelchair Add-Ons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manual-wheelchair.md)