The tongue is a pretty incredible organ, with its location in the mouth and the way it works. Gives us access to the wonderful world of taste your tongue about touch more sensitive than fingertip is known. Without language we would not be able to speak, sing, breathe efficiently or enjoy delicious food and drink.

A recent study has revealed how to make the most of this strange organ. According to this research tonguepeople with a visual impairment navigate comfortably and it may even help him exercise.

The study used a technology that is used as an aid for the visually impaired.

Imagine holding your hand in front of a camera and simultaneously feeling a small hand appear on the tip of your tongue. In this case, you may feel as if someone is making drawings by dropping candy on your tongue. What you see in the photo, which was first developed in 1998 BrainPort This technology does just that. In other words, it converts movements on the surface of the tongue into electrical stimulation patterns with a camera.

‘Language screen’ This tiny lollipop-shaped device called a lollipop has each electrode that corresponds to a pixel from a camera’s video feed. of 400 small electrodes occurs. It also creates a low-resolution tactile display in the language corresponding to the camera’s output. The US Food and Drug Administration approved this technology in 2015 for the blind and partially sighted. help tool approved for use. The research team also used BrainPort to test how human attention works on the surface of language and to see if differences in perception are the cause.

Findings are used to help partially sighted mountaineers climb

Language responds to given information in the same way as hands or vision. But while language is incredibly sensitive, the attentional processes are somewhat limited compared to the other senses. So stimulating the tongue is quite simple, which causes a sensory overload.

The research team finds that attentional processes in language can also be influenced by sound, and think that BrainPort, in combination with an auditory interface, can help focus attention and reduce sensory overload. However, using BrainPort alone can be too stimulating to provide reliable information. The team, all these findings, visually impaired mountaineers He explained that he used it to develop a device that would allow them to climb comfortably.

In addition, the team can give hints about where the user can take their next step and stick to it. audio app He explained that he was also exploring the possibility of using the language and using the feedback in the language to find the exact spot to hold.

With a few adjustments, this technology is deaf or Blind It could become a more reliable tool to help people navigate. Below the waist, unable to use their hands, find direction or communicate more efficiently for people with paralysis It may even help.