Paper Reading #6 - Adaptive Mouse: A Deformable Computer Mouse Achieving Form-Function Synchronization

Comments:
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Reference:
Adaptive Mouse: A Deformable Computer Mouse Achieving Form-Function Synchronization
Sheng Kai Tang, Wen Yen Tang
CHI 2010

Summary:
The design of computer mice has always been limited by physical constraints.  Some mice are designed for only right or left handed people, and some mice are designed to be neutral.  The Adaptive Mouse embraces the latter philosophy.

The Adaptive Mouse consists of a magnet, a Hall-effect sensor, and a layer of foam.  The Hall-sensors are placed in the foam, and they record their distance from the magnet in the center.  In this way they substitute for the buttons found on a typical mouse and allow the mouse to be gripped from any angle.  Based on a sample of 30 test subjects, the researchers recorded the most common ways to hold a mouse (right and left handed).  Based on these findings, they were able to use hand orientation to calculate the expected direction of mouse movement.

After completing their first prototype, the researchers had the same 30 subjects test the mouse.  The subjects were generally pleased with the results, commenting on the intuitive controls and possible uses in dark rooms.  On the other hand, the mouse had to be held correctly to work properly, and some of the women in the study noted that their hands were too small to be able to hold the mouse correctly.

Discussion:
While this technology is certainly interesting, I don't see much commercial viability for it (at least not without significant changes).  Foam is acceptable for a prototype, but I doubt very much that it would last long under everyday use.  It would also need to be available in multiple sizes to accomidate the gammut of hand sizes.  Finally, I think most left-handed people would be more or less indifferent to such a mouse.  I may be in the minority, but I am a lefty who long ago adapted to the right-handed mouse.  In fact, I currently use a mouse that is designed specifically for the right hand, and I couldn't be happier with it.  I do know of one or two people who would benefit greatly from a mouse of this design, but that translates into a very narrow user base.  I don't see conventional mice going anywhere anytime soon.