Researchers working on devices controlled by the mind appear too keen on us turning into lazy slobs in the nest few years. We recently mentioned of the monkey who could control a robotic arm with its mind. nd not to forget Emotiv's headset that lets us control the mouse movements on a PC simply by our mind. Well these guys seem all hell bent on us not moving around to even grab the remote. Among the newest entrant on such mind with machine interface gadgets is the ability to control gadgets with our tongues. Yes, you heard right but this time it's for a worthy cause as this technology is to be used by the disabled to interact with complex devices. The Tongue Drive System developed by students of Georgia Tech turns the tongue into a joystick of sorts, allowing the disabled to manipulate wheelchairs, manage home appliances and control computers. Up to now the Sip and puff techniques has been the most reliable technology since users simply have to either suck or blow to get a few desired results. With the new developments being made in such devices the tongue seems most promising as moving your tongue has been our oldest habit since birth and if moving your tongue can switch on your lights and heat your home well it's not such a bad idea.

The team's work has already attracted a $120,000 grant from the National Science Foundation and $150,000 from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The tongue being a facial muscle is usually spared in accidents that can paralyze most of the rest of the body, because the tongue is attached to the brain, not the spinal cord.

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