IBM has come up with a new computer mouse adapter that enables people who suffer from hand tremors to eliminate excessive cursor movement, thereby allowing more normal use of a personal computer.
Tremor conditions make it hard to use a mouse for simple computer tasks because of the erratic movements of the cursor on the screen. The Assistive Mouse Adapter filters out shaking movements of the hand in a similar way to "steady cam" image stabilizing systems in some camera lenses. The effect of the adapter is much smoother movement of the cursor on the screen and greatly improved accuracy of mouse operation.
The device, which is designed to work with any PC and operating system, will benefit users at home and in the office, as well as in public places like libraries and universities. No additional software is required; the adapter is simply plugged in between the computer and the mouse and can be switched on or off, and adjusted depending on the tremor severity. It can also be set to filter out unintended multiple clicking on the mouse caused by a shaking finger.
IBM has licensed the device to Montrose Secam Limited, a small British electronics company. James Cosgrave, one of the company's directors, finds that his own inherited tremor condition has not limited his ability to fly a plane, but using a PC is almost impossible because the mouse must be accurately moved around the screen.
Around 3 million Britons have some sort of hand tremor, while up to 10 million people in the US are affected by Essential Tremor (ET), the most common form of hand tremors that can affect people of any age.
This invention is a simple, cheap (£67.50 / $107.00 - inc VAT and p&p) but genuinely great idea that will allow hand tremor sufferers to carry out everyday tasks such as banking, shopping or keeping in touch with friends and family without having to rely on others.