TOEtal Control
In this “Design for all” project, we had to design a product which everyone could use and could answer to everyone’s needs. We decided to focus on the topic technology and computing, since it’s such an important area nowadays and everyone should be able to have the opportunity to interact in a pleasant way without any concerns.
In this area, we studied which kind of problems the users find when they use the equipment and after that we started our project on a foot mouse, directed to people who can´t manipulate objects with their hands or for people who can´t move their arms, but it also fits to everyone in general because it gives us the chance to use our hands for other purposes.
RESEARCH
We started by doing a research about already existing products in the market that might solve our problem or that might need to be improved.
The resources we used to explore were: the track ball from track ball mouses and the inside mechanical parts of the mouse.
PROGRESS
In our first sketches, the main goal was to join the functionalities which we tought were the most important ones: the foot rest function and the mouse control. In the begining we thought the foot pedal was the best option to encorporate this two goals. We wanted our product to be as ergonomical as possible so for us the best shape would be a similar shape to the shape of a foot.
USER TESTING
We tested our prototypes to analyses its ergonomics and comfort of the foot position and the angles of the mouse but also the functional part. We asked the user to test our mouse with a game where they had to move the trackball and press to through balls.
We decided after to have a symetrical product again because it gives the possiblity for the user to use both feet. We created a transparent plastic pad, instead of the sliding support, which would be an extra adding to our product (meaning the it’s not necessary but it provides more comfort).
SOLUTION
Footmouse unit to use with one foot. You can move, scroll, right and left click! Just like a normal mouse... except you don’t have to use your hands.
There’s also the possiblity of adding the silicon pad, which fits to 3 different sizes of foot. It gives freedom of movement to your foot and it’s more comfortable.
