AbleMouse
DIY solution that helps even with complete paralysis
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Alexander Radzhabov

AbleMouse Beyond Switch Edition - Full PC control for the paralyzed via one micro-movement.

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AbleMouse
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An open-source solution designed for individuals with extreme physical limitations, including total paralysis. When traditional assistive tech fails, this works by interpreting a single micro-movement—like slightly opening the mouth—into full PC control. Features a core system that receives micro-signals from any sensor to navigate a customizable hierarchical menu. The system enables voice commands for non-verbal users and bypasses OS language barriers. Ready to restore digital independence. 🦾

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Alexander Radzhabov
Maker
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When All Else Fails, This Works. 🦾 Imagine a person who is completely paralyzed (both body and head) and is also unable to speak. In the specific case I am referring to, the individual only had access to a single micro-movement — he could only slightly open his mouth. 🕊️ I have developed a solution that helped a person with such a severe disability return to the digital world and regain full control of his computer. This method is more natural and flexible than traditional "Switch Control" approaches. I am sharing this development because it has the potential to change many lives. ❤️ I would be deeply grateful if you could share this project with those in need or on specialized community forums. ⚙️ Technical Details 🔹 Control Principle: The system is based on a hierarchical menu that cyclically cycles through items. As soon as the user sees the desired command, they provide a signal (that specific micro-movement), and the action is executed. 🔹 Any Sensor: In the current version, computer vision via a standard webcam detects the mouth's micro-movement. However, the architecture allows for the connection of absolutely any input signal or sensor via TCP protocol. 🔹 Breaking Language Barriers: The interface is fully customizable and can be translated into any language. Windows' native language limitations are bypassed automatically — the user sees their native language, while the system correctly interprets the commands. 🔹 Flexibility: The server component allows you to build a menu of any complexity, tailored to the specific tasks and physical capabilities of the individual. ✨ The Core Concept: Essentially, the system creates a computer interaction interface for those with extreme physical limitations. Furthermore, it enables Windows voice control even for individuals who cannot speak. A quick note on the tech: AbleMouse Beyond Switch is fully open-source (MIT), as I want this to help as many people as possible. For the audio magic, it uses the VB-CABLE driver. This driver is 'Donationware' — free to download and fully functional, but the developer welcomes donations if you find it useful. 🦾
Sankshit Pandoh

This is super cool, excited to see people working on building solutions for the differently abled.

Alexander Radzhabov
Maker

@sankshit Sankshit, Thank you! Technology is at its best when it creates bridges where there were walls. I'm just happy to contribute to a more inclusive digital future.

Ashok Nayak

One more launch from AbleMouse, yay!!!!!
Man I just love your mission, @alexander_radzhabov

Upvoted!

Alexander Radzhabov
Maker

@ashok_nayak Ashok, Thank you! I believe technology should leave no one behind. Launching this on Product Hunt today is just one step toward that goal. Thanks for being part of the journey!

Nuseir Yassin

What inspired you to build this? :)

Alexander Radzhabov
Maker

@nuseir_yassin1 Nuseir, Thank you for asking! The inspiration behind the entire AbleMouse series comes from real people who needed specific help. Each product was created to solve a genuine challenge faced by — both those I know personally and those who reached out to me for help. I decided to share these developments as open-source projects so that others in similar situations could have more accessible and affordable options.

Kath SeaCat

This app may be a life-changer for those who are paralyzed! Upvoted and good luck!

Alexander Radzhabov
Maker

@seacat Kath, Thank you so much for your kind words and support! My main goal is exactly that — to make technology more accessible and provide a life-changing tool for those who need it most.

Kath SeaCat

@alexander_radzhabov Good! I wonder how you distribute your program. Are people able to find it on the Internet?

Alexander Radzhabov
Maker

@seacat Source code and setup instructions are available on GitHub (search the internet for 'AbleMouse') or via the 'Visit Website' button on ProductHunt. The setup requires a basic knowledge of Python; I estimate that even a tech-savvy student could initially set up and successfully launch the application for the user, making it ready for future use by the user's relatives.

Kath SeaCat

@alexander_radzhabov So, currently, it's not a standalone app? I think it should be because most people (non-coders) don't even know what GitHub is...

Ryan Thill

At scale, webcam-based micro-movement detection will face calibration drift (lighting, camera angle, fatigue) and false positives that can make the cyclic menu frustrating or unsafe for critical actions.

Best practice is a per-user calibration workflow with adaptive thresholds, temporal smoothing, and a state machine with dwell + confirm for “destructive” commands, plus a plug-in sensor interface that logs signal quality for tuning.

How are you measuring and exposing accuracy metrics (false-accept vs false-reject) over time, and can the TCP sensor protocol support signed messages or local-only mode to avoid unintended remote inputs?

Alexander Radzhabov
Maker

@ryan_thill Ryan, Thank you for such a deep technical insight!

Regarding the camera concerns: the system is designed to be highly customizable. Parameters such as defining an 'open mouth' state, setting delays to prevent double-triggering, and adjusting menu cycle speeds are all configured individually for each user’s specific setup and physical capabilities. These critical settings are thoroughly covered in our documentation.

In real-world practice with actual users, the system performs reliably once calibrated. The primary success metric I focus on is the user’s subjective experience and comfort during long-term use.

The TCP protocol was specifically chosen for its flexibility. It allows the system to be easily extended by replacing the camera with any other sensor (hardware or software), as real-life needs are extremely varied.

Regarding security and unintended remote inputs: while any program can be hardened, I believe that network-level security (firewalls, local network configurations, and OS-level protections) is the more appropriate layer for managing these risks.

There is always room for improvement, and I appreciate your suggestions. Thank you for your feedback!