A handheld tool includes a handle; an implement mount configured to detachably accept and to rigidly hold a user-assistive implement; an actuator assembly mounted to the handle to physically manipulate the implement mount relative to the handle; a first sensor disposed to sense an orientation of the handle; a second sensor disposed to sense an orientation of the user-assistive implement; a controller disposed in or on the handle and coupled to the actuator assembly and the first and second sensors; and memory coupled to the controller. The memory stores instructions for identifying a type of the user-assistive implement attached to the implement mount, selecting a behavior routine based upon the type of the user-assistive implement identified, and manipulating the user-assistive implement relative to the handle according to the behavior routine to aid performance of a task with the handheld tool.

A personal care device drive unit comprises a main body housing a motor and enabling releasable connection to any selected one of a set of different functional units. A controller of the personal care device drive unit generates an output signal associated with the selected one of the functional units connected to the main body in dependence on a sensed motor current and a sensed vibration occurring in the main body. The use of both vibration sensing and current sensing (which detects the electrical motor load resulting from driving the selected one of the functional units connected to the main body) enables multiple different functional units to be identified more reliably.

Automatic toothbrushes are disclosed herein. A toothbrush configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a handle and a mouthguard coupled to the handle. The mouthguard can be configured to be positioned within a mouth of a user over multiple teeth of the user. A brush assembly having a plurality of bristles can be removably positioned within the mouthguard for engaging and cleaning the teeth of the user. A motor can be disposed within or coupled to the handle and configured to articulate the brush assembly within the mouthguard.

In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care system that includes a toothbrush; a programmable processor configured to receive oral characteristic data indicative of an oral characteristic of a user; and determine for the user, based at least in part on the oral characteristic data, at least one of a suggested brushing routine and a brushing evaluation for a brushing session.

A dental cleaning appliance includes a fluid reservoir for storing working fluid, a nozzle for delivering working fluid to the teeth of a user, a light source for illuminating the fluid reservoir and a control circuit for activating the light source to generate an alert which is conveyed to the user through the illumination of the fluid reservoir.

A skincare device includes a brushhead including a marking disposed on a surface of the brushhead, the marking including a shape and a color; a body including a motor assembly configured to oscillate the brushhead; and a first optical encoder configured to detect the marking and determine an identity of the brushhead.

A magnetically controlled abrasive system (MCAS) having a magnetic system to manipulate a magnetically controlled unit is provided. More specifically, a track member is operatively coupled to a first magnetic unit and a first surface of a first body. The track member facilitates movement of the first magnetic unit with respect to the first body. A second body is positioned proximal to the first body. More specifically, at least one abrasive protrusion is operatively coupled to a second surface of the second body and a second magnetic unit is operatively coupled to the second body. The first magnetic unit generates a magnetic field which interacts with the second magnetic unit. The interaction controls movement of the second body including movement of the at least one abrasive protrusion positioned in communication with the second body.

Brush portions are configured for use with a handheld device. The brush portion includes at least one bristle disposed on a bristle base, the bristle having an elongate first electrode, an elongate second electrode abutting the first electrode, and an insulator disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connectable to a first voltage source and a second voltage source of the device, respectively.

Tooth brushing monitoring system is disclosed that includes a toothbrush with sensors and a base station. The sensors record data regarding the quality, quantity and location of brushing and the system can analyze the data to provide feedback on the quality of brushing. This feedback provides motivation for users to increase their brushing habits, leading to a decrease in plaque, tooth decay and gingivitis.

A computer-implemented method including deriving a health profile of a user from a sample taken from the user and displaying a representation of the health profile on a display, wherein the representation of the health profile includes a list of undesirable oral health characteristics that are detectable from the sample. The representation of the health profile may also include a list of desirable oral health characteristics that are detectable from the sample. Furthermore, a user may select one of the undesirable health characteristics, and in response an indication of historical values associated within he selected one of the undesirable health characteristics may be displayed on the display.