Introduction: Assistive Tech Controller: Two Lever Buttons and One Foot Pedal (Up to Six Keys: Up, Down, Left, Right, WASD. Click, Space)
This is an assistive technology controller featuring up to six keys, suitable for applications such as video games and computer programs. I designed this controller with the goal of improving the accessibility and affordability of assistive technology. Constructing it is a straightforward process, typically requiring only 30 minutes to an hour. Additionally, the required materials are easily accessible.
Supplies
- A roll of copper tape
- 12 Rubber bands
- 12 Thumbtacks/push pins
- Foamcore (you could also use a sturdy material like doubled-up cardboard or a thin slab of wood)
- Two pieces of plywood
- Velcro
- 2 foam balls (you could use a dodgeball)
- Hot glue
- Duct tape
- 8 Alligator clips
- Optional: construction paper for labeling controllers
Amazon Links:
Copper tape:
Rubber bands:
Thumb tacks:
Foam core: (Dollar Tree has this for a dollar)
Plywood:
Velcro:
Foam ball:
Hot glue gun:
Duct Tape:
Makey Makey (with wires and USB plug):
https://www.amazon.com/JoyLabz-MMCE-Makey-Invention-Everyone/dp/B008SFLEPE?th=1
Optional: construction paper:
Links:
3D printed wire holder:
https://sonomaacademy51.autodesk360.com/g/shares/SHd38bfQT1fb47330c99569fbef6201409fb
Remapping Makey Makey:
https://makeymakey.com/pages/remap
Scratch game to test controller:
https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/872812133/
(Keys: arrows or WASD and space)
Step 1: Creating the Buttons/levers
- Cut a piece of foam into an 8x6-inch rectangle.
- Put copper tape on both ends of the rectangle (make sure the tape wraps around both sides).
- Cut the foam ball in half then hot glue it to the middle of the foam core.
- Hot glue a rubber band to all four sides onto the copper tape.
- Cover both ends of the rectangle again with copper tape (to make this easier, cut the tape vertically where the rubber band goes down and fold both sides over).
- Push four thumbtacks into a piece of plywood (mine is 26 inches long). The length between the rubber bands and the thumbtacks can be adjusted to how much you want the controller to move. If the rubber band is too loose for what you want, twist it as tight as you need.
- Repeat two more times: put one on the same board as the first one and the other on a separate piece of plywood for the foot controller (mine is 12 inches long).
- FOR THE FOOT CONTROLLER: with your controller set up on a separate piece of plywood, cover the top of the copper tape on the controller with either duct tape or electrical tape
- Hot glue velcro to the bottom of the board
Step 2: Setting Up Tape for Connect Wires
For the main board (up down left right):
- Put copper tape on the plywood below each copper tape end of the controller (where the black rectangles are in the first picture).
- Put copper tape under the foam core (where the black rectangles are in the second picture).
- Underneath the plywood put copper tape (where the black rectangles are in the third picture)
For the foot pedal:
- Put copper tape on the plywood below each copper tape end of the controller (The setup is the same as the up-down controller so repeat it here)
- Put copper tape under the foam core (same as the up-down controller).
- Underneath the plywood put copper tape (where the black rectangles are in the fourth picture)
Note 1: I did my copper tape horizontally on the foot pedal but you should do it vertically (same as up-down).
Note 2: I put extra copper tape on the back and front for the foot pedal, ignore everything but the black rectangles.
Step 3: Hooking Up the Wires
- Glue the 3D-printed wire holder to the middle of the plywood board
- Attach wires:
For left-right)
- Attach the wires to where the black rectangles are (first picture) on the controller. Underneath the wires should be the copper tape you previously put on.
For up-down)
- Attach the wires to where the black rectangles are (second picture) on the controller. Underneath the wires should be the copper tape you previously put on.
For click-space)
- Attach the wires to where the black rectangles (third picture) are on the controller. Underneath the wires should be the copper tape you previously put on. These wires should be the longest, make sure they can reach the ground from where you want the main controller to be. If you need to make it longer you can connect multiple wires to themselves and tape them together.
3. Thread wires through the holes of the wire holder
4. Attach the other ends of the wires to the Makey Makey:
For left-right)
- Attach the wire to the left to the left arrow on the Makey Makey
- Attach the wire to the right to the right arrow on the Makey Makey
For up-down)
- Attach the up wire to the up arrow on the Makey Makey
- Attach the down wire to the up arrow on the Makey Makey
- Attach the wire on the plywood in front of the controller to the bottom of the Makey Makey to the right
For the click-space)
- Attach the click wire to the click circle on the Makey Makey
- Attach the space wire to the space circle on the Makey Makey
- Attach the wire on the plywood on the left of the controller to the bottom of the Makey Makey to the left
5. Tape the other half of the wire holder on top
6. Plug in the red USB cord and plug into the computer (use an adaptor if needed)
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