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The 2017 Apollo Coding
Innovation Grant

Creating Human Interfaces
With Makey Makey

Makey Makey is an invention kit that allows the user to create touch-sensitive interfaces out of nearly anything. In this project, students used Makey Makey to create human interfaces for computers and software.

punch controller

This device is a controller for a boxing game. The player can actually punch the controller.

art pad

Some of our projects were designed as assistive technologies. This touchpad is designed for individuals with motor deficits. It is designed to allow them to control paint and art software without needing the keyboard or computer touchpad. It features a touch-sensitive pen that recognizes where the user is holding it and changes functionality accordingly.

art pad 1 art pad 2 art pad 3

This is another art-driven project that simplifies the user experience. Instead of dealing with a mouse or a touchpad, this device simply uses the touch-sensitive stars to control movement and clicks.

jump controller 1 jump controller 2

Many games require players to run and jump through obstacle-filled worlds. Players using this controller have to jump in real life to make the character on the screen jump.

art pad

Here is another example of an innovative user control experience: a tilt sensor. This student hand-made a box out of cardboard and aluminum foil as his controller. Inside the box is a small ball that rolls as you tilt the box. The rolling of the ball trips the Makey Makey sensors, allowing him to control computer functions and games (PacMan, in this example).

flappy bird 1 flappy bird 2

Here is another example of a jump or foot-based controller. The idea here is to require jumps or foot stomps to control Flappy Bird.

augmentative communication 1 augmentative communication 2 augmentative communication 3

Using only a clothing box, this student created an augmentative communication device with six different custom messages. Each of the six inputs can be programmed to say anything that is desired.

sword and shield 1 sword and shield 2

The Legend of Zelda was a seminal video game release in the 1980's. It remains one of the most popular video game franchises in the world. This device is a sword and shield that are used to play the game. To swing the sword in the game, swing the sword in real life.

zoom controller 1 zoom controller 2 zoom controller 3

Apple computers come with built-in magnification software for visually impaired people. While this is an excellent tool, a visually impaired person might have difficulty getting it activated, because they can't adequately see the keyboard or the screen before it's on. This device provides large, shiny, touch controls for the magnification functions of the MacBook.

floor piano 1 floor piano 2 floor piano 3 floor piano 4 floor piano 5

A floor piano made of kids' letter tiles!

foot tetris 1 foot tetris 2 foot tetris 3

Foot-controlled Tetris!