Category Archives: Devices

The Social Internet as Social Assistive Device

The social web offers a means of engagement that trascends the technology and transforms lives. Strangely or not, I tend not to see myself as disabled. Maybe that’s why I tend to focus on sharing more about what I’m doing than who I am or what I think about disability specific things – whatever thoseContinueContinue reading “The Social Internet as Social Assistive Device”

Acoustibuds Earphone Adapters

I have trouble with earbuds falling out and this is problematic for me as I can’t put them back in myself. Seeing a lot of my listening is done wile traveling in the back of my van, it becomes a bigger problem and annoyance. My solution was to purchase earbuds with the soft rubbery endsContinueContinue reading “Acoustibuds Earphone Adapters”

Motion control “in-air pointing” with the Loop

While touted as a “mouse for your TV,” the Loop combines motion control with the familiarity feel of a mouse packaged in to an ergonomically friendly circular design. Control the Loop pointer using four buttons and scroll wheel. Further more though is the motion control. Freespace motion control technology allows “in-air pointing” – by movingContinueContinue reading “Motion control “in-air pointing” with the Loop”

iMainGo iPod Speakers for AAC

A recent comment discussing uses of the iPodTouch/iPhone as a Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device brought to light this little accessory for iPods that could enable output of sound while maintaining the small, light portability. [iMainGo iPod Speakers for AAC]

The Bottle Cap Tripod Revisited

 Back here and here in 2006 I wrote about a bottle cap tripod for your camera. There is now another take on using a bottle as a way to hold your digital camera from Photjojo. This latest one differs in that it fits over the bottle cap rather than replacing it. [The Bottle Cap Tripod atContinueContinue reading “The Bottle Cap Tripod Revisited”

Colour-coded Keyboard & Mouse

This keyboard has color coded keys to teach consonants vs. vowels in order to assist kids become better spellers as well as different colors for the control keys and numbers.. I figure the extra visual feedback offered by the colour coding on this keyboard has to have additional application in areas involving cognition. [Via: ThinkGeekContinueContinue reading “Colour-coded Keyboard & Mouse”

Writing sentences with a red ball

This video shows how you can combine Dasher, a clever text entry program, with RoboRealm, a clever machine vision program to write a sentence using a Red Ball and a WebCam. You do this without touching the PC! This could be used on a Wii, XBox or PS3 to control a browser.   [YouTube -ContinueContinue reading “Writing sentences with a red ball”

Dasher – Single Finger Alternative Text Input

A video demo of Dasher. A single finger interface that allows you to enter text without a keyboard. Dasher is free software, and it works in all languages, and on many platforms.   Keyboards are inefficient for two reasons: they do not exploit the redundancy in normal … all » language; and they waste the fineContinueContinue reading “Dasher – Single Finger Alternative Text Input”

Open-Source Hardware for Prosthetics

Scientific American has an article about the Open Prosthetics Project. The Open Prosthetics Project has applied the “open source” model to the design of inexpensive prosthetic hands and arms that a small demand can still support. The designs are free for anyone to use. This is an exiting project to me as it’s an example of whatContinueContinue reading “Open-Source Hardware for Prosthetics”

Ergodex customisable input system now for Mac

Update Jan 2021: Ergodex is now Ergodox When I heard about this Ergodex customisable keyboard on a podcast I immediately thought it would have uses in Assistive Technology circles and yes, they do already have information on such application of the device. As it happens, this device has been around a while but only forContinueContinue reading “Ergodex customisable input system now for Mac”

Voice Activated iPod Controller

I once had one of these ‘fat nano’ ipods. Had to sell it as I couldn’t use it due to the touch nature of the ipod control wheel. Now if I’d had one of these devices that controls the basic functions of the ipod by voice I would’ve been set. [Voice Activated iPod Controller] viaContinueContinue reading “Voice Activated iPod Controller”

GM and Segway new balancing two-wheeler transport project

My ex-boss, when talking about the language of disability, always used to tell people that “wheelchair bound” should refer to those who do not use a wheelchair, as they’re potentially headed there and we’ve already arrived! Well, now take a look at this experimental vehicle from Segway. See, he was right! The Personal Urban MobilityContinueContinue reading “GM and Segway new balancing two-wheeler transport project”

RFID controlled phone dialing

More and more uses are surfacing for RFID chips and I can foresee many practical applications for alternative access to a myriad of life related activities. Hackaday reports on a phone prototype which uses RFID tags to dial. It is common for our motor skills and eyesight to deteriorate as we get older. There areContinueContinue reading “RFID controlled phone dialing”

Diabetes Device & iPhone

ReadWriteWeb reports on iPhone app that wirelessly connects to a Bluetooth-enabled glucose meter. A good example and model of technology assisting health and well-being. I think lots more work on hardware device interfacing needs attention allowing software <-> hardware interactions as these types of things tend to foster possibilities for environmental control. [Diabetes Device &ContinueContinue reading “Diabetes Device & iPhone”

A myriad of relay controls for Makers incl USB

There’s been discussion previously on the blog about some off the shelf, usb controlled power outlets that a few readers were chasing. I recently received the below email from a reader, Tom Stephenson, about USB control of devices using relays. Thanks Tom. Hello Dave – Lifekludger, I think you might have interest in a USBContinueContinue reading “A myriad of relay controls for Makers incl USB”

Bluetooth Bracelet with Vibration and Display

bluetooth wristband Hack a Day had a post about this BT bracelet. Forgetting the usefulness or otherwise of the display, I think there must be a myriad of uses due to the vibration of the device, especially for Blind users, for alerts of different kinds. [via] [Bluetooth Bracelet with Vibration and LCD Display – FromContinueContinue reading “Bluetooth Bracelet with Vibration and Display”

Puff activated kick pedal mod for Guitar Hero

Ben Heck has modded the kick pedal on the drums of guitar hero so it can be operated by puff of the mouth by someone who uses a wheelchair.   Ben shows exactly how he went about the awesome mod over on his blog in a post here. http://benheck.com/03-01-2009/air-pressure-kick-pedal-for-gh4 This is a brilliant example ofContinueContinue reading “Puff activated kick pedal mod for Guitar Hero”

Siftables, the smart blocks | Augmented Communication Possibilities?

A new way of thinking about alternative input and physical interaction. Possibilities for alternative and augmented communication. http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf [David Merrill demos Siftables, the smart blocks | Video on TED.com]

Mobi Grips – Extra ways to secure devices

Came across these neat little Mobi Grip things. You stick them on your devices and has a elastic loop. Would be great for extra security when holding things, or even adding a way to hang things on a lanyard if there’s no inbuilt securing point. Mobi Grips : http://www.mobigrips.com/ [via Popgadget] Technorati Tags: mobile, securing

El-E – a laser guided “companion” Robot

El-E is a robot controlled by laser pointer. Here’s a video via healthcare-robotics : http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=777847&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1 El-E the Robot from Cressel Anderson on Vimeo. Maybe I could use this to pickup my MouthStick when I drop it. But how’d I press the button on the laser pointer? Hmmm…a real “companion” would notice I’d dropped it andContinueContinue reading “El-E – a laser guided “companion” Robot”

Ray Ozzie knows about Mouthsticks … do you?

Wired recently ran an article about Microsoft CEO Ray Ozzie. One incident in particular introduced Ozzie to the magic that comes when people connect via computer. He had taken a part-time assignment helping a professor finish writing some courseware. The prof lived on the other side of town, so Ozzie collaborated with him remotely. OzzieContinueContinue reading “Ray Ozzie knows about Mouthsticks … do you?”

ASUS Eee Top launched – clever, appropriate use of Touch

ASUS are the smart cookies. They virtually started the consumer Netbook phenomenon with the affordable, linux based, eee pc. Now they release a stylish, all-in-one device with a Touch screen that’s based on XP obviously targeted at friendly family use at, hopefully, a competitive price – the ASUS Top. The screen must be resistive typeContinueContinue reading “ASUS Eee Top launched – clever, appropriate use of Touch”