"Adaptive Altitude": DIY Height-Adaptable Controller for Cerebral Palsy

Introducing "Adaptive Altitude"! This innovative device makes using a computer easier for people with mobility challenges. This controller is designed to work with both mouth and hand/foot movements, offering users a wide range of options to access computer keys. My goal in creating this controller is to contribute to the ongoing efforts to make this world a more accessible place. For the tall controller, place the mouthpiece over your mouth. Tilt your head in the direction you want to activate a key—up, down, left, or right. If you're using your hand, push in the corresponding direction to activate the keys. For the low controller, place your bare arm or barefoot on the copper part of the tennis ball. Touch the desired key while maintaining contact with the tennis ball. Click here to watch a video demonstration!

Supplies:

• Foam board (go to local Dollar Tree), this the kind to look for: Click here
• Cardboard: Click here
• One-inch plywood: Click here
• Pool noodles (can also be purchased at Dollar Tree): Click here
• Cooper tape: Click here
• Duck tape: Click here
• Tennis ball: Click here
• Rubber bands: Click here
• Brads: Click here
• Makey Makey Kit (includes all required wires): Click here
• Link to remap Makey Makey: Click here
• Link to Makey Makey Piano: Click here
• Link to 3D mouthpiece: Click here

Create a box. I made mine three by four inches. I recommend just cutting out four sides, and gluing them. This is because you are going to need to have the top and bottom of the box open so that the controller and wiring will fit through. Add duct tape to the edges for extra support.

Add a strip of copper tape to each side of the box. Leave a little square overhanging so that you can attach your wires.

Look at the images for references on how to wrap the rubber bands. Add brads to the top, middle, and bottom of the left and right sides of the box. Then, add brads to the middle of the top and bottom sides. First, add diagonal rubber bands from the top right side to the bottom left side, then the top left side to the bottom right side. Afterward, add a band across from left to right. Add another band across the left to right. Finally, add one rubber band from the top to the bottom of the box.

I recycled an old piece from a previous project for this. The dimensions of my box are 5.75 by 5.75 inches. Then, cut out a circle large enough to cover the entire box. Similarly to the foam core box, you do not need a top or bottom side of this box. This is because after you create it, you will want to glue it down to a larger piece of foam core.

Cut out two fourteen-inch (length is customizable based on how high you need the controller) pool noodles. Add duct tape to the end for extra support. Add extra support to the top (where the noodles meet the box) and bottom (where the noodles meet the base box). The length of the extra support noodles should be the distance between the base noodles.

As you might have seen from previous pictures, the controller starts as a straw. You are going to want to wrap the straw up in copper tape until it fits perfectly into the 3D mouthpiece (link in materials). Then, continue to wrap the portion of the straw outside the mouthpiece so that the stick does not easily come out of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece should be stuck in the center where all the rubber bands cross (look at the rubber band step for better reference). Do not cover the end of the stick. This is because it will make wiring more manageable if you can clip your wire into the end of the stick.

Cut out three 3 by 4 inch sides. Afterward, glue two of the sides to the edge of the bottom square. Finally, add strips of copper tape, and remember to connect a little square of copper tape to the top to make wiring easier.

Cut a tennis ball a little over halfway down (the smaller half being the one used). The goal is to trim the ball down until it lays flat on the plywood. Next, drill through the center of the tennis ball so that you can fit the brad through. Lastly, wrap the brad around the clip of a wire.

Glue the bottom square to the end of the plywood. Leave the tennis ball unglued, so it is customizable depending on where you need it.

Connect one end of the wire to the arrow on the Makey Makey for the desired key, and attach the opposite end of the wire to the specific area where you want to activate the key. Do this for every side of the high box and the low box. To set up the stick and tennis ball, link one end of the wire to the non-key electrical component of the Makey Makey, and connect the other end to the stick or tennis ball. For the stick, I recommend trying the attach the wire clip to the opening at the end of the stick. Make labels using tap. When making the labels, make sure the pen you are using will not run on the tape. For organization, tape the wires for the high box together and the wires for the low box together. Finally, let your Makey Makey rest on the side of the base box.