Low-Cost Adaptive Controller for Individuals with Motor Impairments

• Gustavo Guaresi UFSC
• Guilherme Bernieri UniSENAI Santa Catarina
• Jim Lau UFSC
• Iwens G. Sene Jr UFG
• Alison R. Panisson UFSC
• Fabrício Ourique UFSC
• Analúcia S. Morales UFSC

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/webmedia.2026.30941

Resumo

Individuals with motor impairments face restricted access to digital entertainment, an increasingly central form of interactive multimedia and social participation, due to the high cost and limited adaptability of assistive gaming interfaces. This study presents a low-cost adaptive video game controller for users with unilateral upper-limb limitations. The methodology combined a rapid literature review, a market analysis of commercial adaptive controllers, and prototyping with affordable, open components, including an Arduino Uno, tactile buttons, an HW-504 analog joystick, and 3D-printed parts. Firmware and software resources enabled the prototype to operate as a plug-and-play Human Interface Device, translating analog and digital inputs into standard gaming commands. Preliminary functional checks confirmed the operation of the controller’s expected features, and the estimated production cost was lower than the market prices of the surveyed alternatives. These findings suggest the technical and economic feasibility of the proposed controller as an accessible, low-cost assistive technology, while evaluation with target users remains future work to assess its usability, comfort, and potential impact on digital inclusion.

Palavras-chave: Assistive Technology, Motor Impairments, Game Accessibility, Human-Computer Interaction, Inclusive Design

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