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Modular, Durable, Joystick-Styled Mouse
Modular, Durable, Joystick-Styled Mouse
This controller can replace the functions of the traditional mouse but is packed in a compact body given by a joystick. The goal is to attach this module in areas where traditional mice require a footprint larger than available, such as the armrest of a wheelchair. Additionally, the interchangeability of the grip of this device allows you to attach external accessibility parts onto it for people with conditions that prevent the use of the traditional right-handed mouse structure. As the device is wired, batteries are not required. To make the device durable and easy to produce, a majority of the device is created using 3D printing. A major limitation of this device (and the MakeyMakey that powers it as a whole) is that mouse movement is limited to eight directions.
This project was created for an assignment where students are tasked with creating controllers that are designed for individuals with the symptoms of cerebral palsy. Our (theoretical) patient was one of these individuals who struggled with fine motor skills in the arms.
Fabrication Process
Fabrication Process
To admit, this device was meant to be an additionary device to the Morse Board. With the footpedals which control the keyboard, I wanted to create a device that controlled the other half of the laptop experience: a mouse. In addition, the other device neglects the use of a MakeyMakey, and I still wanted to use one for this assignment.
Much of the time dedicated to creating this device was put into the piston module, which controls the left and right-click functions. I first had to redo my frint of the piece because the wires I wished to insert into the module would not fit in its tight space, and the outer shell would not fully wrap around the piston. After making new prints, the process became much easier; however, the device would sometimes fail to work due to reasons I still do not understand. There was a lot of down-time with the fabrication process from having to wait for each new print to finish. The most consistent part of the device was what controlled the mouse movement, and if I were to redo this project once more, I would remove the mouse click controls to create a more stream-lined device. The Morse Board could output those keys anyways. Another point of impovement (similar to Morse Board) came from wire management, and you could argue that it is a much larger issue with this project. The 6 keys (in addition to a ground) for this project meant that 7 seperate wires dangled around the tight mouse space, and the clutter could have even led to the joystick being caught on tthese wires often. Overall, I am proud of what I have created, although there is much room for improvement.
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