Faster Output through Simplified Text Entry and Response (FOSTER)

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