Foot-Operated Mouse Fights Repetitive Strain Injury Conditions

Since they first got on the market, mice got loads of updates in both functionality and performance. For instance, the ill-fated ball has been replaced with an optical sensor, while newer generations of devices got rid of cables in favor of wireless transmitters. However, apart from a couple of daring designs, mice are still operated using hands.

The NoHands mouse comes to tear down the last bit of conventionality in the industry. According to its manufacturer, Hunter Digital, the new device is a fully-fledged mouse that can be operated using your feet alone.

The unit connects to the host computer using a USB port, but it is backwards compatible with the PS/2 standard. The two pedals offer full control over the mouse cursor: while one pedal operates the pointer, the second one is used to perform clicks. The clicking pedal allows the user to perform right-button clicks (when pressing its heel side) as well as left-clicks (toe-side).

The manufacturer claims that the NoHands Mouse can be used even in environments that demand increased control over the mouse pointer, such as music, programming or even CAD design. The device is mostly pitched at computer users who suffer from Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) conditions. According to the company, the mouse has been designed by a team of doctors specialized in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and RSI.

Apart from the health-related benefits in using a foot-operated mouse, the new device also aims at boosting productivity. For instance, the NoHands Mouse eliminates the need to switch hands between the keyboard and the mouse. The keyboard and the mouse can be operated simultaneously, without having to move the hands off the keyboard surface.

The mouse has been tested for compliance with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows XP and Windows Vista, as well as with Mac OS X and Linux operating systems. Moreover, when using modern operating systems (Windows XP and up), users can hook up the device along with a conventional mouse.

The two-pedal setup is available in 10.0 x 4.0 x 1.5-inch sizes, and can be combined with voice recognition software for a true hands-free experience. The mouse is especially suitable for computer users with disabilities, but it can be successfully used by anyone who would like to access their computer in a comfortable, hands-free manner.