Space Pilot For Computers

Reported October 2005

NEWARK, Calif. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- If you're one of the 10 million to 20 million professional computer users in the United States, chances are you've experienced muscle stress, carpel tunnel, or pain from just doing your job. A new invention may save your hands and arms from hurting.

It's a hazard for people who spend hours on the computer, whether it's for work or play. Barry Smith, from VSI Risk Management and Ergonomics, in Newark, Calif., says, "The problem is that these users will perform thousands of operations -- similar operations -- all through one hand, and that culmination of that much activity creates the stress and the pain in the arm."

The Space Pilot 3-D Motion Controller is a new device that combines programmable keys with fluid motion control and can sense and adapt to the user's needs. Niraj Swarup, Vice President of Marketing at 3Dconnexion in Los Gatos, Calif., says, "With minimal mouse movement and with slight movements on Space Pilot, I'm able to save myself a lot of stress on my mouse hand as well as speed up my whole process."

By distributing the work over two hands, stress is cut down. But can this approach reduce pain? In a recent study, ergonomists measured users' pain before and after using the controller. In one month, the users' pain was reduced by 61 percent.

Smith says, "They move from working where every hour they're aware and conscience of their pain to afterwards having virtually no pain."

The Space Pilot is available now to help reduce muscle fatigue and pain.

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

3Dconnexion
Sales Office
Troy, Michigan
(248) 743-1000
http://www.3Dconnexion.com

For more information on ergonomics, please contact:

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Lois Smith
(310) 394-1811
http://www.hfes.org
lois@hfes.org



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