The Computer Mouse
a human use analysis
Solution
Based on the user study and feedback from surveyed users of computer mouses, it seems that an improved design would keep the design aesthetic and intuitive use mechanics of current mouse designs while improving the ergonomics. As a result, this solution focuses on developing an improved form factor for the computer mouse.
As seen below, the state of the art mouse attempts to conform to the concavity of the human palm yet this is difficult for large and small hands. Another issue is that the hand is placed on top of the mouse, such that extended use can cause carpal tunnel due to this unnatural positioning.
Alternative mouse designs have attempted to solve the carpal tunnel problem by orienting the mouse controls vertically so that the arm and hand rest on the table in a more natural position, as seen in illustration "B" below. What this gains in ergonomics, it sacrifices in terms of accuracy by moving the means of actuation down the arm to the elbow, where as current mouses, in illustration "A", are easy to move from the wrist.
This solution presented below features a boat-like enclosure that cradles the hand and houses a low-viscosity gel bath with a joystick tethered inside the bath by a force-sensitive cord. The joystick is manipulated by the user in 2.5 dimensions on the plane of the gel, with some responsiveness when depressed forcefully.
The goal of this solution is to support a wide variety of hand sizes with the flexible gel geometry while retaining easy manipulation of the cursor and adding capabilities such as force-touch to the mouse.
This design was then rendered in SolidWorks to create a 3D representation of how such a form factor would appear.
The goal of this design is merging comfort with accuracy of use and minimizing loss or change of functionality, while keeping with a minimalistic aesthetic.