Google.org awards Burnaby not-for-profit $800,000 for device that helps people with disabilities use smartphones

A Burnaby not-for-profit tech company has been awarded $800,000 USD ($1,026,960 CAD) by Google.org for its prototype of a device that allows people that do not have the use of their hands to operate a smartphone.

For more than 30 years, the Neil Squire Society has been in the business of developing computer-based assistive technologies through research, development, and employment programs.

It's device, the LipSync, addresses a problem that more than 1,000,000 people in Canada and the United States are faced with: the inability to independently use a smartphone.

The Straight spoke with Neil Squire's director of development, Chad Leaman, to find out more about the LipSync and the grant awarded by Google.org.

"It's a mobile mouth control device," said Leaman in a phone interview. "There are similar products out there but they are quite big and clunky, where as this is a really mobile solution. It can mount to your chair, giving you access to mobile devices anywhere."

The design is based on a similar product developed by the society called the Jouse, which is used in conjunction with desktop computers.

With the LipSync, users control the mouth-operated joystick with slight head and neck movement, as the device requires very little pressure. Leaman said it has been in development for many years, and only became fully functional when Android updated its smartphones with a jack that enables users to plug in external hardware, like a mouse. 

"All of a sudden, we were able to use it with the latest devices," said Leaman. He noted that the LipSync isn't compatible with Apple products, but said that's an issue they'll address in the near future by adding a Bluetooth connectivity module. 

"I'm hoping that now that there's a solution available, we’ll open those channels of conversation with Apple," he said. 

The company found out on Tuesday that they had been selected by Google.org—the philanthropic arm of Google that donates more than $100,000,000 in grants per year—through the Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities. The grant program aims to increase accessibility through technology for those living with disabilities. 

After what Leaman called a "surprisingly easy" application process, the product was shortlisted by Google. The company then met with Google engineers and developers to showcase the product.

"In addition to this truly transformative financial support, we're looking forward to not just that but also the things that only Google can offer, like marketing and accessibility," said Leaman.

The grant will enable Neil Squire Society to release the prototype as an open source solution, to ensure that it can be affordably made in any part of the world. 

"As a non-profit, we're trying to stay mission-focused," said Leaman. "With our previous product, the Jouse, it's not really mobile friendly, or that affordable. We want to make the LipSync as cheap as possible, and we've found that when you have volunteers using their skills, we actually develop more longer-lasting relationships.

"We're not looking to go to China and get thousands made. We're looking to engage local makers."

Leaman added that another reason the company has decided to release the LipSync as an open source solution is because it’s capacity alone wouldn't allow the product to successfully penetrate the market.

"We only have so much capacity, and by letting go it will be more valuable to more people," he said.

He stressed that those who have used the device have found it to be life changing.

"Think about how the mobile device changes your life," he said.

"The ability to have that knowledge in your hands is transformative. When you can't use your hands, there's this digital divide where you don't have that independence and you have to be reliant on other people to help you send a text or make a phone call."

Leaman also said that by releasing the LipSync, he hopes that it "opens up other barriers" that affect those without the use of their hands, like the current problem with the accessibility of Translink's Compass system.