Paper Reading #6: Adaptive Mouse

Comments:

Patrick Frith

Adam Friedli

Reference Information:

Title: Adaptive Mouse: A Deformable Computer Mouse Achieving Form-Function Synchronization

Authors: S.K. Tang, W.Y. Tang.

Presentation: (Conference Paper) CHI 2010, April 10-15, 2010, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Summary:
     This paper relates the implementation of a mouse that demonstrates the concept of a "form-function synchronization." The idea is to have a deformable mouse that is able to shape itself by the pressure that the user gives it when holding it, and the functionality of the mouse is reached by simply holding the fore or middle finger still.
     The authors go further to describe the implementation of the Adaptive Mouse. The mouse has a deformation sensing module, which is conformed of a piece of foam, a  hall-effect sensor and a magnet. This component has the capability of detecting any deformation and sends a signal to the Micro-Controller Unit (MCU). Underneath the sensing module, there is a reserved space of the optical sensor, batteries and circuit boards. 

     The developers recruited 30 subjects and had them experiment with the mouse in order to record data that would help them with an algorithm to recognize the users' palms and the locations where their fore and middle fingers would be found. With the results of this study, they developed predictions to determine where the dynamic buttons should be placed.
     After they developed the first prototype of the Adaptive Mouse, they had the previous 30 subjects come and try the mouse. Some of the benefits they identified were a high accuracy feedback, and an "intuitive holds then clicks" action. They also identified some drawbacks, including the inaccuracy of the mouse when it is only hold with the thumb and little fingers, and for some girls the mouse was too big to fit their palms. 
     The authors discussed related works and how they compare to the Adaptive Mouse, as well as the future work they have ahead of them. The concluded that operating such a device can create a "magic-like" effect for users.They also saw as an advantage that the Adaptive Mouse could be use in the dark, since there are less visual clues necessary to operate the mouse. The developers recognize that that there is a lack in accuracy, effectiveness and efficiency, and set these as their goals for future work.


Discussion:   
Even though I think this idea is quite interesting, I think the design is not quite as great. Maybe because it is just a prototype, but I would like to see it created in other kind of flexible materials, and maybe a bit smaller. The article does not specify a diameter size, but as I was able to observe in the pictures and by the comment that it was quite big for girls palms, I can assume I wouldn't be comfortable using it. In their conclusion, they inform that the size, and other factors lower the effectiveness and efficiency of the Adaptive Mouse. I would like to read a follow up on their studies if it becomes available and see what the improvements are.