IMU-Mouse: design and implementation of a pointing device for people with disabilities

Abstract

The correct application of ICTs (information and communications technologies) to the education of people with physical disabilities requires studies aimed to adapt interfaces. Controlling the design and implementation of input devices would contribute to develop interfaces tailored to the requirements of such context. The purpose of this work is to present the development and validation of the IMU-Mouse pointer device whose design and implementation is controlled—for researching interfaces that make the most of the interaction capabilities of the devices in adaptation processes. The purpose of the device is to address the needs created by physical disability in upper limps; hence it operates with head movements. Both actions of the IMU-Mouse, click and move, are performed by processing the data generated by an accelerometer and a gyroscope. The main interaction features of the IMU-Mouse were assessed by group of 13 people by means of a survey based on Annex C of ISO 9241-9 standard. The results lead to conclude that the device enables an effective interaction with the computer, as well as the identification of spaces for the application of hardware and software add-ons to support interaction.

Keywords

• Accessibility
• physical disability
• adaptive interfaces
• mouse
• inertial measurement unit