Overview
Project Details
Problem
How might we support professional designers by enabling high-fidelity, multi-modal computer interaction through a comfortable and intuitive desktop mouse?
Solution
Multi-modal computer mouse that enables designers to intuitively navigate and create in 3D. Voxel unleashes an a whole new dimension to the way designers experience the PC.
Skills
Concept ideation, Fusion 360, Grasshopper, CMF, Product Positioning, Product Prototyping, Stable DIffusion, KeytShot
My Role
Industrial Designer
Project
Advanced Industrial Design, Imperial College London, 2023
Duration
3 months
Discover
Context
Computer mice currently exist to perform two main functions: navigation and object selection on a flat screen. For most content, the UX of mice has been optimised and is very familiar. However, users are increasingly interested in different paradigms of interaction, such as manipulating three dimensional content. The hierarchy of interaction for this has been mapped in the diagram below.
Persona
Industrial Designers
Likes creating beautiful and functional designs
Frustrated by the lack of control and intuitiveness afforded by existing mice.
Human-Computer Interaction
CAD, 3D modelling, rendering software require 3D navigation. There are two main problems caused when using existing mice for this: motions are often not intuitive, with the same mouse movement being used for different responses and certain interactions require multiple movements which can be frustrating and result in a lack of precision, as shown in the sequence of interaction diagram below. Currently, there are only a few 3D mice available, all of which are uni-modal as they do not support easy transitions to different paradigms.
Define
How might we support professional designers by enabling high-fidelity multi-modal computer interaction through a comfortable and intuitive desktop mouse?
How might we…
Form
Hidden - Simple, beautiful form that hides technology
Minimal - No/few physical buttons (S4)
Fit - modern, neutral colours and finishes that fit with existing desk set-ups
Function
Graspable - Smooth, graspable surfaces (S3)
Multi-Dimension - 6 DOF and allow for precise movement and object selection (S1)
Flexible - Could be used as a general-purpose mouse (e.g. for web browsing)
Bounding Box - 160 x 100 x 100 mm
User
Lightweight - Max 200 g, but premium feel
Ergonomic - sculpted shape and texture
Interaction - Enables multi-modal desk-based experiences (S2)
Develop
Research and market analysis led to the formation of a design specification which informed initial ideas. A combination of crazy 8s, morphological analysis and c-sketching was used to create a diverse set of concepts and more refined sketches that focus on individual functional elements.
The diversity of form-factors linked to functional requirements for object selection was explored using Midjourney and Stable Diffusion.
A study into natural hand resting position was conducted as a basis for the creation of an ergonomic form, with resulting lines used for further exploration.
Initial Ideation
Lo-Fi Prototyping
Clay prototypes were produced to evaluate the optimum interacting, grasping and selecting method. Results showed that a smooth form was ideal for most hand sizes. Interaction exercises revealed the benefits of an on-desk approach as well as an in-hand approach. This combination also allows for the greatest flexibility between gross and fine motor skill expression, which is key to achieving high fidelity input.
01
Interacting
What method of interaction with the product in relation to the desk provides greatest fidelity of input?
02
Grasping
What is the most comfortable shape for the user to hold and how big should the mouse be?
03
Selecting
What is the most intuitive method of user input? How might we locate clickable locations?
To ensure that all aspects of the product are considered during final design, the product was broken down into four functional modules. The flow diagram highlights the design methodology taken in order to meet the refined design definition.
Visual Design Positioning & Product Architecture
Visual Decomposition into form, line and detail provided areas to refine the concept in the final few CAD iterations, where considerations for button texture, manufacturing details and indicators were also added.
Visual Decomposition & Detailed Design
Eight CAD iterations were created to define the exact design, using a combination of Grasshopper, Fusion 360 and 3D printing to judge and edit shape and size.
Iterative Design
Colour, Material, Finish
Deliver
Final Design
At first glance, Voxel has an incredibly simple silhouette, making it appear magical upon use. Voxel has a rounded, ellipse based shape all three orientations, making it a friendly, familiar tool.
With a built-in Li-ion battery, Voxel is designed to be completely wireless. And when it runs low, it can easily be recharged with a colour-matched contoured wireless charging pad. This method allows for continued use in 2D mode even when charging.
The two side buttons have been formed from the same, single block of machine titanium as the body, however, a 3D knurled texture makes them instantly recognisable, guiding the thumb and index finger towards them.
The LED at the rear acts as a multi-purpose indicator, notifying the user of low battery, charging status, and Bluetooth pairing.
The dual symmetrical ceramic surfaces fall over the edges, seamlessly transitioning to to the metal body. A surface thickness of 5 mm was deliberately selected to provide the optimum balance of ceramic surface area and metal to hold.
Voxel Interaction
Voxel has been designed from the ground up with multi-modal input at the centre of focus. As a result, two usage modes appear: desk and hand. In desk mode, Voxel functions similar to a traditional mouse, but is augmented by its ergonomic shape, and additional control through its multi touch surfaces and option buttons. Voxel detects motion through its internal IMU, rather than traditional light scanning, allowing for a completely uninterrupted design that also works in 3D.
In hand-held mode, Voxel is completely free, offering access to all six degrees of freedom for translation and rotation. This allows 3D objects to be freely moved around the software workspace. Selecting is achieved through pressing either the two solid-state side buttons, or squeezing surfaces. An in-built haptic engine provides the sensation of a real click. Full control options are shown in the diagram below. This combination of navigation and selection options allows Voxel to separate all CAD interactions, for example, a pan left is now different to a rotate around Y.
Finishes
Two layers of curved ceramic are sandwiched between a titanium body. The juxtaposition between the ceramic and titanium makes the holding position instantly recognisable. Following product design trend exploration, four contemporary CMF combinations were selected, specifically chosen to complement working environments. Incorporating semiotics into the product design led to metaphors being used for the colour names, which hint towards the stone-like shape of Voxel, which in-turn affords a shape that is smooth and easily graspable.