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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, July 22, 2016 | 14 Science centre award for tongue-controlled mouse by Fannie Sunshine Metroland Media Oakville's Emma Mogus was looking for a way to help a friend who suffers from ALS -- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease -- better navigate technology when she came up with the idea for a tongue-controlled computer mouse. The Tongue-Interface-Communication (TiC) is a $10 non-invasive, tongue-operated, customized and programmable USB-HID (Human Interface Device) keyboard with interface circuitry. The prototype consists of a mouth guard, similar to an athletic one, with five pressure sensitive switches across the front that correspond to up, down, left, right, and enter. So, if the user has a keyboard that pops up on the computer screen -- Mogus is working on a wireless TiC version -- they can easily type and search, the 17-year-old Oakville resident said. And TiC isn't just for people with ALS; it's also useful for people with MS or spinal cord injuries, Emma said. She also drew innovation inspiration from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which calls for research, development and support of all types of assistive technologies with an emphasis on affordable devices. "The tongue is capable of complex The Tongue-Interface-Communication (TiC) is a $10 non-invasive, tongue-operated, customized and programmable USB-HID (Human Interface Device) keyboard with interface circuitry. | submitted photo movement, it doesn't get tired," Emma said, adding it took about 18 months to develop the prototype after using on-line forums, courses, and tutorials as guides. The TiC prototype has been entered in science fairs, and went through subject testing, but Emma wants to work out any snags before it moves to the next level of testing, adding top priorities are making the device wireless and ensuring the mouth guard fits comfortably for all users. Though TiC hasn't made it onto shelves yet, it has won its creator the 2016 Weston Youth Innovation Award from the Ontario Science Centre. Established in 2008, the award encourages and recognizes young Canadian innovators. "The jury was inspired by Emma's ingenuity, skill and dedication to developing an original solution for an issue that in spite of many scientific advances, continues to affect many people," Dr. Maurice Bitran, CEO and chief science officer of the Ontario Science Centre, said in a release. "We look forward to seeing what this young innovator will develop next to continue improving the world around her." Emma will be awarded the $2,000 prize at the Ontario Science Centre in the fall, and will work with a multimedia team at the Don Mils Road and Eglinton Avenue site to create an animation to showcase TiC, which will be displayed in the Weston Family Innovation Centre. And Emma, who is heading to McMaster University come September to study chemical and physical sciences, has one simple, primary goal when it comes to TiC. "I want to help people." HIGH EFFICIENCY FURNACE & CENTRAL AIR only AIRE ONE MADNEss sAlE! Make it your own Customized to your preferences, b u t w o n 't e m p t y y o u r w a l l e t starting from $ Or * 3990 * $ Call for details 59 /mth OAC* SAmE DAY INStALLAtION Shop online at AvianGuitars.ca Use Promo Code "OB" for online discount 289-400-7529 AIR CONDITIONER DIAGNOSTIC SPECIAL AR REGUL $ $99.00 www. . HEATING & COOLING .com 49 PACKAGE INCLUDES: · 95.5 % High Efficiency Gas Furnace · High Efficiency Central Air R410A Refrigerant ·10 Year Factory Warranty · Limited Time Offer 95.5% EFF. receive up to iN i.e.S.o. & GAS coMpANY reBAteS* $1500 LIMITED TIME ONLY! Must Present Coupon. Cannot be Combined with other offers. Over 120,000 satisfied custOmers 9 Locations to serve you better oaKviLLe (905) 849-4998 COMPLETE BATHROOM, KITCHEN & LAUNDRY RENOVATIONS We Supply · Custom Vanities · Counter Tops · Tubs · Faucets · Sinks · Toilets · Custom Shower Doors · Tiles And Much More Fully Licensed, Insured & 2 Year Workmanship Warranty 2666 Royal Windsor Drive, Unit 1D, Mississauga (at Winston Churchill) 905-823-2278 Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10 am - 5 pm, Saturday 10 am - 4 pm www.clarksonbathandtile.com