Simple Solo Cup Adaptive Controller

Our controller includes two buttons and two joysticks. Both the buttons and joysticks are configurable to work in a number of ways and to complete a number of tasks. The goal with this controller design was to make something that not only worked comfortably and reliably but also something that was simple, low in cost, and could utilize a handful of household items. This controller came to life because we felt that most assistive technology was incredibly expensive and out of the realm of possibility for most people and families. Our controller would not be anywhere near the level it is at right now without a little help and inspiration from our classmates.

Supplies needed

• Makey Makey
• Electrical Tape
• Solo Cups
• Solo shot cups
• Spring Doorknob
• Velcro Tape
• Aluminum Tape
• Alligator Clips
• Hot Glue Gun
• Box Cutter
• Wire Stripper
• Drill
• Exacto Knife

Here is the 3D printed component. It is not required

Testing Website for the controllers

Website to remap your makey makey

These are all the materials that you will need to create the Adaptive Buttons

Lay a strip of your velcro down onto the tinfoil

Cut out the foil around the velcro

Use a screwdriver or exacto knife to poke two holes in the top of a solo cup

Lay the other side of the velcro on top of the cup making sure not to cover the holes

Take the velcro with the foil and attach it to the velcro on the cup making sure to leave a small loop

Take off the white end from the doorstop and put it in the loop

Using the exacto knife cut off the end of an alligator clip and strip the end of it using the wire strippers. Then lay it on the piece of foil, feeding the wire up through one of the holes. Then lay a piece of aluminum foil on one of one side of the loop. Before you do that make the middle of the tape more conductive by wearing out the adhesive with your finger.

On the other side of the loop cover the foil with electrical tape

Once again cut and strip a wire. Again wear down the adhesive and attach the wire with a strip of aluminum foil. Feeding the wire up through the other hole first. Place this piece of foil on the side that you covered with electrical tape. Making sure to only leave a tiny gap in between.

At this point, this is what it should look like

Using the hot glue gun create a hole in the bottom of the cup. Then thread the wires through the hole

Place another cup on top if your cup and you are done. This is what it should look like

These are all the materials that you need

First make a hole in the top of the solo shot glass using the hot glue gun

As before cut a strip of foil tape and wear down the adhesive. Then cut and strip one of the alligator clips and first tape the foil on the inside of the cup and then attach the wire to the part of the tape that hangs over.

Then repeat this process four times around the cup

Take all the wires and using electrical tape secure them around the cup. But before you tape them make sure to label them corresponding to their position around the cup. Or what you want their purpose to be

Take the screw from the door stopper and thread it through the hole in the bottom of the cup

At this point, this is what you should have.

Bundle all the wires together using electrical tape. Set this component aside

Take a normal sized solo cup and cup roughly the top third off using the exacto knife

Poke a hole in the bottom using the hot glue gun. Also, make a larger wider whole near the bottom

Put the little solo cup inside the bottom part and thread the screw through the hole. Then cut and strip a wire then wrap it around the screw

This part is optional but highly recommended. Take a scrap piece of wood and drill a pilot hole. Then screw the project into the hole. Making sure to keep the wire that is connected to the screw separate as this is the ground.

Screw in the spring part of your door knob

There are many different ways to make a hole in a tennis ball but the easiest are a drill or an exact knife or a drill.

Put the tennis ball on the door knob.

Repeat this process again. But if you would like, use the 3D printed component instead of another tennis ball

This component isn't necessary but it is helpful. Create a stand for a solo cup using foam board

Using velcro attach the makey makey inside of another solo cup. Then you need a lot more wires. Four ground, one for each component. Make sure the ground for each component if possible is a different color this will be helpful later. Four more for each joystick. And one more for both of the buttons. Cut a large hole in the bottom of a solo cup and feed the wires through it. It is highly recommended to label each of these wires as it makes setup much easier. One side of the wires will all connect to the makey makey and the other wide will connect to all your components.

The wires for the joysticks (if you want certain functionalities) need to look like this in order to connect to the makey makey. Take one wire a cut it into small sections. Then strip both sides. Wrap one aside around the end of the alligator clip and wrap it in electrical tape. The side with the exposed wire goes into the makey makey.

This should be how it is wired up.