The one handed 360 controller is pretty remarkable. Innovations like this will keep the industry moving forward.

The one handed 360 controller is pretty remarkable. Innovations like this will keep the industry moving forward.

What do Jim Abbot, Rick Allen, Abu Hamza and Captain Hook have in common? Well, they all have one hand and would love the latest Xbox 360 invention we found over on the Ben Heckendorn website.

(If you remember, Ben was the guy who did the awesome 360 laptop mod).

What is the invention? Well, Ben has come up with a 360 controller that you can use with just one hand. He introduced his project log (which we recommend checking out here) by explaining why he was doing it:

"I've actually always wanted to build some helpful devices for people with disabilities, I know that sounds completely different than the stuff I usually do (you know, like Xbox laptops and ghost documentaries) but I see it as an interesting challenge. Here was my chance!"

He goes on to explain that it was made at the request of a serviceman injured in Iraq.

Great to see it was for a good cause - at bit-tech, we are all for getting gamers with disabilities involved and it rather seems like gaming consoles make little or no attempt to include those with disabilities. Why is it that your local supermarket or cinema has to provide access for those with disabilities yet games have no requirement to do so?

To give you an example of this excellent piece of work here is Ben dealing with how to start the project:

"One of the biggest challenges, at least in the brainstorming "how I am going to do this?" phase was how to do the right analogue stick. Then I realized I could just put it on the bottom of the controller and reverse its wiring. You don't actually tilt the controller on the axis of the stick because that would be awkward. (Believe me, I tried). Instead you actually just move the whole thing in the direction you want for the right stick, and the analog stick then rotates against your leg. This is why you have to reverse the wiring, because the use of the stick itself has been reversed."

He requests at the end of the project for people to email feedback, so if you like/dislike this then why not let him know by dropping him an email at benjamin.heckendorn@gmail.com. I personally think this is a brilliant innovation and one that Microsoft should get their hands on and sell as a specialist product.

Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
Quote WILD9 5th December 2006, 10:27
Whats that white stuff he's used to fabricate the chassis ?
Quote Lazlow 5th December 2006, 11:07
There must be a market for controllers and peripherals aimed at disabled users? But you never hear about them - this looks great.
Quote Skill3d 5th December 2006, 11:57
very nice! keep this good work up, gaming should be for everyone
Quote Gunsmith 5th December 2006, 11:58
give that man a medal
Quote mmorgue 5th December 2006, 12:12
Stunning - simply stunning! Top marks & respect for that bit o kit!
Quote Mother-Goose 5th December 2006, 12:14
Whats with the :( will? Sighing at the brilliant executing and dreaming or the fact that it was done?
Quote riggs 5th December 2006, 12:19
Fantastic little mod! Does this guy ever stop?
Quote DXR_13KE 5th December 2006, 12:25
BRILLIANT!!!!!! next stop: gaming system for the blind :D
Quote mikeuk2004 5th December 2006, 12:54
It is an area that seems to be overlooked. There are alot of keyboards and mice etc made for various disabilites but they charge more the an elite gaming keyboard and mouse. As there is a small market for it the retail price is high due to limited number of sales.

I belive there are some games controllers out there for older systems that have been made for disbilites but I can find any links right now.

There should be gamining controlers for disabled people as why should they have to miss out on the fun. The WII will be great for one handed people for the games that dont require the nunchuk
Quote HandMadeAndroid 5th December 2006, 14:14
Well done; completely obviously needed, but to my knowledge has been over looked :)
Quote Nature 5th December 2006, 15:01
Great innovation.

What about the people with no hands? :?
Quote M4RTIN 5th December 2006, 15:10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nature
Great innovation.

What about the people with no hands? :?


they can get a helpful friend to velcro wii controllers to their feet
Quote Colonel Sanders 5th December 2006, 17:57
Quote:
Originally Posted by DXR_13KE
BRILLIANT!!!!!! next stop: gaming system for the blind :D

Just need a direct digital link to your brain with DRM (the new buzz word in technology. . .) of course.

L J
Quote cpu121 6th December 2006, 14:59
Are there any DOA Xtreme Volleyball games planned for the 360?
Quote Garside 6th December 2006, 18:17
Ha Ha, one of the wittiest things I have seen today.
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