# Tongue-Operated Wearables The [In]Brace is a Wearable Invention for People with Disabilities By Kalin Ned | Published 2020-08-26 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-innovation References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2020/08/26/inbrace-dorothee-clasen-graduate-design-technology-tongue-computer/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dezeen+%28Dezeenfeed%29) & [kisd.de](https://kisd.de/en/) In the category of wearable innovation, graduate designer Dorothee Clasen—who is doing her master's degree at Köln International School of Design—stands out with her newly developed device. Cleverly titled '[In]Brace,' the piece allows individuals to [operate a computer using their tongue](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prolo-ring). Logically, the wearable innovation is to be worn in one's mouth. [In]Brace is made out of a "custom dental retainer fitted with a ball with a magnet on a set of rails on the underside." As part of the gadget, a Wi-Fi transmitter is hooked behind the user's ear, ensuring that the wearable innovation works properly. [In]Brace is a convenient device that also carries implications for "[people with certain disabilities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xanderglasses-connect)" or "people whose work keep both hands occupied at the same time," suggests Clasen. The development and prototyping processes prove to be quite challenging for the designer. Image Credit: Dezeen ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.9/10 - Popularity: 84% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Tongue-operated Wearables:** The [In]Brace device allows individuals to operate a computer using their tongue, providing a disruptive innovation opportunity for accessibility technology. - **Wearable Innovation:** The development of the [In]Brace device highlights the potential for wearable technology to assist people with disabilities, opening up new opportunities for inclusive design. - **Hands-free Computing:** The [In]Brace device, worn in the mouth, enables people with both hands occupied or limited mobility to engage in computer tasks, creating disruptive innovation potential for hands-free computing solutions. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Assistive Technology:** The [In]Brace device offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in the field of assistive technology, enhancing accessibility and independence for individuals with disabilities. - **Wearable Tech:** The development of the [In]Brace device showcases the potential of wearable tech to revolutionize the way people interact with computers, presenting disruptive innovation potential for the wearable technology industry. - **Healthcare Technology:** The [In]Brace device, with its unique tongue-operated functionality, presents disruptive opportunities for healthcare technology by enabling individuals with limited motor skills to engage in computer activities and potentially facilitating communication in medical settings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Wireless Tongue-Operated Trackpads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wireless-tongueoperated-trackpad.md) - [Tongue-Controlled Digital Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-interfaces.md) - [Speech-Converting AI Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bling-by-braindeck.md) - [Motion Tracking Eye Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magtrack.md) - [Human-Computer Interaction Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tech-at-meta.md) - [Stroke Recovery Wearable Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-earpiece.md) - [Lip-Reading Necklace Camera Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/speechin-necklace.md) - [Wearable Non-Verbal Assistive Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-assistive-system.md) - [Elegant Scoliosis Back Braces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airy-back-brace.md)