AWARD YEAR
2019
CATEGORY
Body
GOALS
Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
KEYWORDS
smart devides, technology, wireless technology
COUNTRY
United States of America
DESIGNED BY
Sonitus
WEBSITE
https://gizmodo.com/weird-tooth-phone-wins-millions-in-pentagon-funding-1829004364
Molar Mic
A two-way communication devices that clip to the users’ teeth.
The technology, dubbed “Molar Mic,” is supposed to be provided for U.S. Air Force service members first, but it might eventually be used by other military branches. Defense One reports that Sonitus was awarded about $10 million for the project.
Sonitus CEO Peter Hadrovic explained to Defense One that using the Molar Mic is similar to hearing the sounds of cereal crunch inside your head, using the “auditory pathway” of your teeth. He said users can understand the audio as soon as they put it in, but it gets easier with use. “Over the period of three weeks, your brain adapts and it enhances your ability to process the audio,” Hadrovic told Defense One.
The device uses near-field magnetic induction to sync with a transmitter, similarly to Bluetooth. It’s custom-fit to the user’s mouth, then snaps into their molars. The microphone and wirelessly rechargeable battery are obviously built to be waterproof.