UVM Reference Number: C0967
Summary:
An advanced communication software that significantly accelerates text-to-speech input for individuals with speech impairments by using novel shorthand codes and search algorithms.
Description:
FOSTER is an innovative assistive communication technology designed to help individuals with ALS and other speech-impairing conditions communicate more quickly and effectively. By combining user-defined shorthand letter codes with a smart search algorithm, it auto-fills words after only a few letters, reducing the input time by over 40%. Compatible with various devices and operating systems, FOSTER enables real-time conversation, decreases user fatigue, and facilitates clearer interpersonal interaction for people who rely on text-to-speech systems.
Key Advantages:
- Compatible with multiple devices and operating systems
- User-friendly interface requiring fewer physical inputs
- Significantly increases communication speed and efficiency
- Reduces user exhaustion and streamlines sentence construction
Problems Solved:
- Slow and laborious text input for individuals with motor and speech impairments
- User fatigue caused by existing assistive communication methods
- Limitations in real-time conversational ability for affected individuals
- Inadequate facilitation of effective interpersonal communication
Market Applications:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Dysarthria from brain injury or tumors
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Cerebral palsy
- Huntington’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spinal injuries, and other neurological/muscular disorders
