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Sep 18, 2014 | By Alec

A teenager from Panipat in northern India, named Arsh Shah Dilbago (and nicknamed Robo) has developed a very clever device that is set to improve the lives of people with speech impediments throughout the world. While only sixteen and still in school, he has nonetheless created the TALK, an original and affordable AAC device that will help people with developmental disabilities like Down's Syndrome or ALS communicate with their surroundings. And he has achieved all this through 3D printing.

AAC is short for Augmented and Alternative Communication, and is an umbrella term for a wide range of communicative aids for people who can't interact with their surroundings unassisted. While there are a wide range of high and low tech devices that can achieve this, perhaps the most well-known version is Stephen Hawking's talkative computer chair. Sadly, however, many of these AAC devices are either very costly, or depend on a variety of other bodily signals to operate.

In his entry for the Google Science Fair, Dilbago argued that many of these traditional devices just aren't accessible for regular people. Computer-operated devices like the one used by Stephen Hawking is 'bulky, but also not-portable, costing well above $5000', whereas cheaper head and eye tracker systems still easily cost you $2000. Furthermore, they require users to be able to move hands, fingers, eyes or heads, which not all disabled people can do. Meanwhile, brain interface technology – which interprets your brain activity to communicate – is still in its infancy.

Dilbago therefore decided to construct an entirely different AAC device that was not only affordable, but can easily be operated by anyone capable of giving two distinguishable exhales that vary in time or intensity. Breath as a bodily function was chosen, as statistics showed that most people suffering from developmental disabilities could still breath manually.

After extensive prototyping and testing, this grew into TALK, a little device that converts the distinguishable exhales into electrical signals and Morse Code. The signals are processed into 'dots' for short exhales and 'dashes' for longer exhales, which are then converted into words and sentences. TALK is then able to broadcast the message into English, or into specific commands and phrases. This AAC device even allows the user to choose from 9 different voices.

The device is small and portable, with a size and weight similar to a regular smart phone. It consists of a small 3D printed casing (sadly, Dilbago doesn't share any information on the printer or material used) that holds a small circuit board, the battery and the speaker. Attached to that is a type of headset with a piece extending to the mouth, which will record the user's breathing. And impressively, Dilbago estimates that TALK can be commercially produced for just $100 per unit, making this little device the most affordable AAC unit in the market.

Furthermore, it was extensively tested by people with and without severe speech impediments, both in quiet and busy areas. The results were excellent. TALK was capable of producing the correct words 98% of the time, while it was exceptionally quick to formulate words. 'It takes only 0.8sec to dictate the letter 'A' and 0.4sec for the letter 'E' using Talk, making it the fastest AAC device in the world.'

While not quite commercially viable yet, Dilbago's TALK is therefore a very promising piece of 21rst century innovation. The young inventor is currently looking into more extensive options and opportunities to bring it into production. 'In the future, I envision the device to be more intelligent and even more accessible. […] It's my turn to change the world.'

One of the stepping stones to achieve this, is his entry into the Google Science Fair. You can find his entry here. The winners will be announced on the 23rd of September.

Also check out Dilbago's video on the TALK:

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Applications

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