A way to “single-A way to “single-handedly” handedly”

control your X-control your X-Box.Box.Michael BallardMichael Ballard

Shawn CrabbShawn Crabb

User GroupUser Group

People who can use only one hand to People who can use only one hand to play a video game.play a video game.

Primary User GroupPrimary User Group One armedOne armed One handOne hand No use of one handNo use of one hand

Secondary User GroupSecondary User Group People who experience other limiting People who experience other limiting

factors (e.g., Arthritis sufferers)factors (e.g., Arthritis sufferers)

Problems of Current Problems of Current InterfaceInterface

Current controllers are a two-Current controllers are a two-handed interface.handed interface. Controls (buttons) on both sidesControls (buttons) on both sides Requires two hands to balanceRequires two hands to balance

GoalsGoals

Enable people that can only use one Enable people that can only use one hand to play video games.hand to play video games.

We chose x-box. This same concept We chose x-box. This same concept can be used with all game systems.can be used with all game systems.

We chose a right-handed interface. We chose a right-handed interface. This controller can have a mirror This controller can have a mirror image for Lefty’s.image for Lefty’s.

Problems of New Problems of New InterfaceInterface

Put all buttons/controls in such a Put all buttons/controls in such a way that they are reachable with way that they are reachable with only one hand.only one hand. Many buttons/controlsMany buttons/controls

ConfusingConfusing With all buttons within reach, they may be With all buttons within reach, they may be

too close together.too close together.

Our Attempt to Solve the Our Attempt to Solve the ProblemsProblems

One problem that we noticed is that One problem that we noticed is that to use all of the buttons/controls to use all of the buttons/controls with one hand would be confusing.with one hand would be confusing.

We wanted to keep the controller as We wanted to keep the controller as familiar as possible.familiar as possible. ShapeShape Button placementButton placement

Our Attempt to Solve the Our Attempt to Solve the ProblemsProblems

Another problem was that putting all Another problem was that putting all the buttons within reach might the buttons within reach might cause inadvertent pressing of cause inadvertent pressing of incorrect buttonsincorrect buttons

Keeping the original controller’s Keeping the original controller’s shape and button placement would shape and button placement would solve this.solve this.

Buttons/Controls to Buttons/Controls to MoveMove

Directional padDirectional pad Analog joystick(s)Analog joystick(s) Start buttonStart button Back buttonBack button Left triggerLeft trigger

Where to Put Other Where to Put Other Buttons?Buttons?

Issues:Issues: Functionality accessible?Functionality accessible?

Can you press all the buttons with one Can you press all the buttons with one hand?hand?

Easy to use?Easy to use? Is it too hard to adapt to?Is it too hard to adapt to?

Is it comfortable?Is it comfortable? Video games get played for long periods of Video games get played for long periods of

time. Can our controller be used this way?time. Can our controller be used this way?

Where to Put Other Where to Put Other Buttons?Buttons?

Want buttons used most often to be Want buttons used most often to be easiest to access.easiest to access.

Buttons rarely used can be less Buttons rarely used can be less accessible.accessible.

Our Design DecisionsOur Design Decisions

We chose a joystick.We chose a joystick. Directional control without using Directional control without using

fingertips. The analog motion of the fingertips. The analog motion of the joystick encompasses all functionality of joystick encompasses all functionality of the two analog thumbsticks and the the two analog thumbsticks and the directional pad.directional pad.

Our Design DecisionsOur Design Decisions

Start/Back ButtonsStart/Back Buttons These can be on the base of the These can be on the base of the

joystick. They are out of the way, but joystick. They are out of the way, but still accessible to the gamer.still accessible to the gamer.

Our Design DecisionsOur Design Decisions

Left TriggerLeft Trigger This trigger needs to stay a trigger This trigger needs to stay a trigger

(ease of use, etc), so we put a second (ease of use, etc), so we put a second trigger just below the original right trigger just below the original right trigger. This is accessible to either the trigger. This is accessible to either the one finger normally used for trigger, or one finger normally used for trigger, or another finger.another finger.

Our idea (side view)Our idea (side view)Before Peer ReviewBefore Peer Review

Second Trigger

Start/Back Buttons

Same basic shape (familiarity)

Joystick detects motion.

Our idea (top view)Our idea (top view)Before Peer ReviewBefore Peer Review

Main buttons still configured same as typical controller

Mostly original, familiar shape

Peer ReviewPeer Review

Intuitive, easy to use.Intuitive, easy to use.

Suggestions for improvement:Suggestions for improvement: Finger loop for better controlFinger loop for better control Suction cups on base for better stabilitySuction cups on base for better stability

Our idea - RevisedOur idea - RevisedAfter Peer ReviewAfter Peer Review

Added finger loop

Added suction cups to base

Demo