We are proud to announce the release of four OpenAT joystick devices that were developed as part of the Government of Canada’s Assistive Technology Program. These devices are joystick-based alternative input devices made for people with disabilities who have difficulties using traditional input devices like a computer mouse or video gaming controller.
The OpenAT Joysticks are designed to be cost-effective and customizable, in contrast to many of the commercial options available. They are intended to increase digital access by making phones, tablets, and computers easier to use, building on the work of our previous projects like the . These joysticks can also be used for Adapted Gaming.
We had previously shared the initial prototypes and plans for the various projects in June. Since then, we’ve done extensive user testing and utilized that feedback to further refine the designs. Four of the designs have been finalized and published: the Oak Compact Joystick, the Spruce Mini Joystick, the Ivy Nunchuck Joystick Adapter, and the Forest Joystick Mouse Hub. Several additional designs were developed but require a little more refining including the Birch Mini Joystick and the Wheelchair Bluetooth Joystick Adapter.
This fall, we will begin making the OpenAT Joysticks at build events across Canada. The joysticks will in turn be donated to local hospitals, organizations, and families across the country as part of our campaign. Of course, if you have the skills and means, you can also build one yourself, or request one be made for you by our community of makers.
OpenAT Joystick Overview
The OpenAT Joystick devices can be used for mouse control and adapted gaming.
For mouse control, an OpenAT Joystick (e.g., Oak Compact Joystick or Spruce Mini Joystick) is paired with assistive switches and the Forest Hub to create a USB HID Mouse. The joystick controls the movement of the cursor, and the assistive switches are used for left click, right click, middle click, and scroll. This setup is compatible with any device that accepts USB HID Mouse input, such as PC, mobile, and iOS 13+. You may need an additional adapter depending on the host device.
A similar setup can be used for adapted gaming by combining an OpenAT Joystick, assistive switches and the Forest Hub to create a USB HID Gamepad. The analog joystick is the joystick, and the assistive switches are the gamepad buttons. This setup is compatible with PC, mobile, and the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
The Forest Hub supports one analog joystick and up to four assistive switches. It also has an additional switch input port for switching between Mouse and Gamepad mode and cycling between different settings.
The OpenAT Joysticks (Oak Compact Joystick and Spruce Mini Joystick) can also be used directly with the Xbox Adaptive Controller analog input ports (X1 and X2). The X1 port is the left thumbstick, and the X2 port is the right thumbstick. The sensitivity and response of the joysticks can be controlled through the Xbox Adaptive Controller profile settings. Using a suitable third party adapter, this setup can also be used for Adapted Gaming on other consoles like the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation.
You may notice a bit of a tree theme in the naming. This is play on the ‘stick’ part of joystick and a nod to their roots: the designs are all named after trees found in Canada.
Available Now
Oak Compact Joystick
If you’re looking for a joystick that is robust, has a range of topper options, and can be used as a mouse or for gaming, the Oak Compact Joystick may help get to the root of your joystick needs.
The Oak Compact Joystick can be used directly as a left or right thumbstick for the Microsoft Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC) using the X1 or X2 analog input ports. It can also be used with the Forest Joystick Mouse Hub (more on that below) as a USB Gamepad or USB Mouse.
The Oak Compact Joystick has a set of easily swappable, modular toppers that can be added to make the joystick easier or more comfortable to use.
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Spruce Mini Joystick
Based on a PlayStation controller-style thumbstick, the Spruce Mini Joystick is a mini sized proportional joystick that can be used for adaptive gaming or computer access with a suitable adapter like the Forest Hub.
The Spruce Mini Joystick can be used directly as a left or right thumbstick for the Microsoft Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC) using the X1 or X2 analog input ports. It can also be used with the Forest Joystick Mouse Hub as a USB Gamepad or USB Mouse.
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Forest Joystick Mouse Hub
The Forest Joystick Mouse Hub allows a user to connect an analog joystick and up to four assistive switches to emulate a USB Mouse or USB Gamepad.
As a USB Mouse, the joystick controls cursor movement and the assistive switches activate the left mouse button, right mouse button, middle mouse button, and scroll. As a USB Gamepad, the joystick maps to the joystick/thumbstick and the assistive switches map to the joystick buttons. An additional assistive switch can be attached to the Hub to cycle between three setting slots and change the output mode between USB Mouse mode and USB Gamepad mode.
The device is comprised of a custom printed circuit board, off-the-shelf electronics, and 3D printed parts. The overall cost of materials for a single build is about $100. The individual unit cost is closer to $55.
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Ivy Nunchuck Joystick Adapter
The Ivy Nunchuck Joystick Adapter allows a Nunchuck Controller to be used as a USB HID Mouse or USB HID Gamepad. The Nunchuck Controller has a thumb joystick and two buttons.
The device is comprised of off-the-shelf electronics that are assembled without the need to solder into a 3D printed enclosure. The overall cost of materials for the adapter is $20 (plus $8 for component shipping). Paired with an old Nintendo Wii Nunchuck controller or a Nunchuck Controller replacement ($10 – $20), this provides a cost-effective solution for an input device.
The Ivy Nunchuck Adapter can be used directly as a left or right thumbstick for the Microsoft Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC) using the left or right USB ports.
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To Be Finalized
All of these device files are available to download and make via GitHub. However, these are still prototypes and still require further refinement before wide release.
Cedar Integrated Joystick
The Cedar Integrated Joystick is a small, integrated USB joystick with three assistive switch input jacks. that can act as either an HID gamepad or as a mouse. It has a relatively small range of motion and a moderately low force required. In Joystick mode, it is compatible with the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
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Birch Mini Joystick
If you’re looking for a joystick with a very small range of motion, we’d like to point you to the Birch Mini Joystick.
The Birch Mini Joystick is a small gaming joystick that moves in a sliding motion instead of the typical pivoting motion of a joystick or thumbstick. It has a very small range of motion and a moderately low force required.
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Wheelchair Bluetooth Joystick Adapter
The Wheelchair Bluetooth Joystick Adapter enables a user to use their powerchair joystick via a Bluetooth Mouse module as a joystick on a computer or gaming console. This is compatible with the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
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