Cornell University Ergonomics Web

MULTITOUCH TECHNOLOGY - IMPROVING THE ERGONOMIC DESIGN OF INPUT DEVICES

A brand new technology called Multitouch has the potential to eliminate many of the ergonomic hazards associated with the use of keyboards and mice. Basically, Multitouch is a thin sensor array that recognizes your fingers and hands as they move over the surface. The sensors are not pressure sensors, so only the lightest of contact with the surface is required.

All keyboard input is by single finger contact, as on a regular keyboard (except there's no force required because keys don't have to be depressed - users get auditory feedback on a successful key contact if desired). All cursor positioning mouse movements are preformed anywhere on the same surface, but 2 fingers are used instead of one. Combinations of finger movements (called 2-D gestures) can be used to perform other operations on the same surface (e.g. file open, file close, save, new, cut, paste, scroll up/down etc.). The same surface can also be used to capture handwriting or other graphic input. In other words, the hands can rest on the surface and perform all input operations without any awkward, deviated or forceful movements.

This leading edge technology  replaces conventional electromechanical  keyboards, mice and other manual input devices as we know them, and at the same time substantially reduce the risks of developing a repetitive motion injury. Preliminary field test results are promising and we are starting to undertake more formal investigations in our lab.

 The technology is called Multitouch, and it has been developed by Professors at The University of Delaware who run a company called Fingerworks (http://www.fingerworks.com)*.

Multitouch devices have been featured in recent articles in MacWorld, PC World, CNN and the BBC.

Links to some of the recent articles are:

New York Times article

PC World/CNN Science and Technology

Meet the Geek (iGesure Pad)

• See the results of the Cornell survey of multitouch users.
• An Exploration Of Multitouch Technology: A Comparison Of A Split Angle Keyboard With Multitouch And Current Input Technologies  (GTDP)

* Disclosure - Prof. Hedge is a minority shareholder in Fingerworks Inc.