ComMuni addresses the crucial communication gap faced by individuals with motor disabilities, such as ALS and also those who are non-verbal. Traditional communication often relies on complex and hard-to-understand sign language that the general public cannot interpret, or bulky and expensive assistive technology that lacks portability.

Hence, I developed ComMuni integrated hardware-software solution to tackle this problem of portability and accessibility to this technology.

For the hardware, I used a compact, low-profile physical keypad powered by CircuitPy, customised around the ergonomics to fit it in a palm. It features highly sensitive keys purposely designed for minimal actuation force to cater to users with limited muscle strength or motor disabilities.

To format the output/keybinds, a Streamlit web app is developed to reformat ComMuni and other technical customisations, ensuring that ComMuni stays adaptable to the user's changing needs.

ComMuni functions as a handheld communication bridge. When a user presses a specific key or shortcut combination, the signal is instantly translated into preset phrases or custom sentences displayed any device as it uses a universally recognised ANSI layout with the help of Adafruit. This allows for a rapid and efficient handheld communication for daily needs, effectively turning minimal physical movement into clear, digital communication.

What sets ComMuni apart is its efficiency. While average assistive tech can be troublesome, ComMuni requires only 3 physical input keys to communicate 9 individual phrases or sentences. ComMuni's '3-to-9' framework significantly reduces the time taken to find the words and type out the phrase and the energy required from the user, effectively turning minimal physical movement into clear and quick digital communication.

Developed by: IPT (Ted)