Meet Darrell Earlier in the year I was contacted by Darrell. Darrell may not realise it, but he is a Lifekludger. Darrell has a son. His son lives with a disability. His son’s disability prevented him from using a mobile phone. Unable to press a button to activate ‘hands free’ voice control dialing – yesContinueContinue reading “A True Hands Free Bluetooth Headset”
Category Archives: Input
Story of ‘good will’ highlights Lifekludger concept – Santa Cruz Sentinel
This story from the Santa Cruz Sentinel shows the power of connection and what can be achieved when a Maker (Jon Bjornstad, a Santa Cruz freelance computer programmer) is backed by a Giver (Roy and Ana Cook of Saratoga) to help a Liver (Karadole, a paralyzed woman who lives in Croatia) – with the endContinueContinue reading “Story of ‘good will’ highlights Lifekludger concept – Santa Cruz Sentinel”
Pressure Sensitive Multitouch pads to come
An article in Technology Review reveals development of pressure sensitive touch pads that could be used on future generation devices. Why is this Lifekludger newsworthy? Because the pads are reported to combine features of both kinds of existing touch pads. To me, this might mean some breaking down of the Touch Barrier and the seemingContinueContinue reading “Pressure Sensitive Multitouch pads to come”
Adesso compact wireless keyboard
Nice compact, wi-fi keyboard, useful for limited reach. And no cords. Non-multi touch pad is a positive in my opinion. Would love to test the pad. [via engadget ]
Slashdot Hardware Story | Better Tools For Disabled Geeks?
Interesting, wide ranging discussion over on Slashdot about Tools For Disabled Geeks, voice input and other hardware discussions. [Slashdot Hardware Story | Better Tools For Disabled Geeks?] Hat tip to whoever it was pinged me on this, I’ve forgotten who it was now, but if it’s you, thanks. Image by by JanneM
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”
Buttonless remote control – move it
This remote has no buttons. Instead it uses an accelerometer to enable activation by movement. About the accelerometer: [Via: Make: Online : Arduino powered buttonless remote control]
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”
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”
Will Apple’s 10-inch touchscreens still need skin?
Reuters reported last month on Apple ordering larger touch screens: Taiwan touchscreen specialist Wintek already makes small screens for Apple iPhones, and has received orders for the larger ones that are roughly the same size as those used in mini PCs – [http://www.wintek.com.tw/] I bet you’ll still need skin! Source [Apple orders 10-inch touchscreens forContinueContinue reading “Will Apple’s 10-inch touchscreens still need skin?”
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”
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”
Puff – Blow Concept for phone interaction.
Interesting idea. A first-thought is in the future this would be a way around the ‘voice-command’ dialing barrier that exists with most devices currently, where you’re expected to push a button then talk. A “puff-talk” action would work as a ‘complete’ hands free dialing alternative. [Pantech IM-] via ubergizmo
WizMouse Scrolls Out of Focus Windows
Anything that saves excess clicking and moving when those simple actions can be tiresome or difficult due to any physical limiting factor has to be a good thing. WizMouse is a small app (Windows only) that adds ability to scroll in Out of Focus Windows. Download [via Lifehacker]
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”
Revisiting touch on the OLPC XO laptop and hardware access design
“Accessibility is about accommodating characteristics a person cannot change by providing options” — Joe Clarke, 2001 * An outline * some ideas in olpc first look was promising * accessibility and usability are hardware issues too * accessibility should venture out of the online space into hardware design Last year I had a first lookContinueContinue reading “Revisiting touch on the OLPC XO laptop and hardware access design”
Phone designed for the Blind shows importance of feedback
SENS concept phone. by Japanese designer, Takumi Yoshida I’ve written previously about the importance of the correct type of feedback for input, especially when one or more of your senses fail you. This SENS phone uses a combination of tactile sensors and audio feedback to the user. When a person key is pressed the phoneContinueContinue reading “Phone designed for the Blind shows importance of feedback”
Mouse Control with voice sounds
Researchers from the University of Washington are developing a mouse that’s controlled using sounds made with your voice. [wp_youtube]PXmccs4GIqI[/wp_youtube] I have nothing to add.
Working Touch Screen Netbook running Mac OSX
Now folks we are talking about something I want and would actually be able to use. Compact, Mac OSX and a Resistive touch screen allowing me to control the cursor as I couldn’t o this device and can’t with the current track pads all Macs have. I couldn’t find out who did this, but ifContinueContinue reading “Working Touch Screen Netbook running Mac OSX”
The Touch Barrier – Stylus enquiries continue
I received an email from a reader, Scott Sands, around the touch barrier issues I’ve been writing about here and here on the blog. Scott graciously agreed for me to put his email here for my response so all might benefit from the issues discussed. Scott outlines how he uses his computer and his issuesContinueContinue reading “The Touch Barrier – Stylus enquiries continue”
Tongue Control
clipped from gtresearchnews.gatech.edu For Immediate Release June 30, 2008 A new assistive technology developed by engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology could help individuals with severe disabilities lead more independent lives. The novel system allows individuals with disabilities to operate a computer, control a powered wheelchair and interact with their environments simply by movingContinueContinue reading “Tongue Control”
