The OHMni-Stick is fully documented on Hackaday.io, but here are some highlights:
OverviewIntroducing OHMni-stick, an affordable open-source assistive technology solution to address the needs of individuals with disabilities and mobility challenges. This innovative device combines a low force and displacement force-based joystick with pneumatic pressure-sensitive buttons, aiming to enhance accessibility and improve daily living for those who can benefit from it.
Challenge Addressed:
- OHMni-stick tackles the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities or limited mobility in effectively accessing and controlling technology. Traditional input devices often pose barriers due to their high force requirements and large movements. OHMni-stick aims to provide a comprehensive solution that overcomes these obstacles, enabling users to engage more independently in various activities.
Problem Alleviation:
- OHMni-stick offers a practical solution to alleviate the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities or mobility limitations. This low force and displacement force-based joystick requires minimal effort and allows for precise control, making it accessible to users with limited strength or dexterity. Additionally, the pneumatic pressure-sensitive buttons provide customizable force sensitivity and tactile feedback, further enhancing control and adaptability for users.
Hardware Solution:
- OHMni-stick is a hardware solution designed to assist, adapt, and rehabilitate individuals with disabilities or mobility challenges. It aims to enhance learning, working, and daily living by offering a versatile input device. Whether it's aiding in rehabilitation exercises, controlling equipment, or providing a more accessible gaming experience, OHMni-stick is designed to cater to diverse user needs.
The open-source nature of OHMni-stick reflects a commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community involvement. The project documentation and shared design files encourage further innovation and customization. By fostering an inclusive ecosystem of developers and users, OHMni-stick aims to contribute to the ongoing improvement of assistive technologies. The design is released under GNU General Public License v3.0.
Advantages of the OHMni-Stick:
- Enhanced Accessibility: Enables individuals with limited muscle strength and range of motion to control devices effortlessly.
- Low Force and Displacement: Requires minimal force and displacement for operation, accommodating users with extremely limited strength and mobility.
- Customizable Grips: Interchangeable grips provide personalized comfort and adaptability.
- Responsive Pneumatic Buttons: Delivers precise and tactile control with adjustable sensitivity.
- High Sensitivity and Accuracy: Responds to forces as low as a single gram and offers real-time tracking.
- Open-Source Design: Promotes collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the community.
- Inclusive Design: Enhances learning, work, and daily living for individuals with disabilities or mobility challenges.
- Versatile Applications: Suitable for controlling wheelchairs, operating assistive devices, and interacting with technology.
I'm excited to provide a project update that highlights the modular, swappable grips for the OHMni-Stick. This addition allows for easy interchangeability of grips based on the user's abilities and preferences, offering a personalized and adaptable experience. Let's explore the reasoning behind this design and the advantages it brings:
The primary motivation for incorporating modular, swappable grips is to cater to the diverse needs of users with varying abilities. By providing multiple grip options, the OHMni-Stick becomes more inclusive and versatile, accommodating individuals with different levels of dexterity, muscle strength, and comfort requirements. Users can simply swap out grips based on their specific needs, ensuring a customized and ergonomic interface.
The grip-swapping mechanism relies on three powerful magnets that securely hold the grip onto a "push-plate." These magnets are carefully chosen to ensure a robust attachment during normal use. However, they are also designed to reliably detach the grip in the event of an impact, muscle spasm, or any other sudden force that exceeds the maximum rating of the load cells. This safety feature prevents any potential harm to the user or damage to the device.
The advantages of the modular, swappable grip system are significant. First and foremost, it allows users to tailor the OHMni-Stick to their individual needs and abilities, promoting a sense of control and empowerment. Whether someone prefers a more traditional power chair-style grip, a puck-shaped grip for easy palm control, or a "saddle-style" grip that helps securely hold the user's hand in position, the OHMni-Stick can accommodate their preference. This modularity also allows for future expansion and innovation, as new grip designs can be developed and integrated into the system, keeping the OHMni-Stick up to date with evolving user needs and technology advancements.
Mouth and Tongue Control with "Sip and Puff"I'm excited to share the latest addition to the OHMni-Stick project: a new module that empowers users to operate the device using their mouth or tongue. This module also integrates "sip and puff" pressure sensitive controls, providing an alternative input method for users who may not be able to use their hands.
Enhancing Accessibility for All
Accessibility is at the heart of the OHMni-Stick project, and this new module takes it to a whole new level. It enables individuals facing a wide range of mobility challenges to control the device with remarkable precision and ease.
Mouth and Tongue Control: A Game-Changer
Our new module allows users to control the OHMni-Stick by simply using their mouth or tongue. It's a testament to the power of technology in breaking down barriers. Whether someone faces limitations with their hands or upper body, they can now enjoy the freedom and independence that the OHMni-Stick provides.
Join Us on the Journey
The OHMni-Stick journey is ongoing, and we're excited to have you with us. Your contributions, ideas, and feedback continue to drive this project forward. Whether you have a specific need, an idea for improvement, or a creative adaptation, we encourage you to explore, innovate, and share your insights.
Direct links to the project Logs:
Objective Force and Displacement Measurements
Pneumatic Pressure-Sensitive Buttons
KiCad Schematics and PCB Design
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