The Twitch Switch is for users with limited movement capabilities. Up to three small wireless sensors can capture very small movements. The Twitch Switch can be used for activating up to three switch adapted devices or emulating a mouse or keyboard to operate a digital device such as a computer.
The Twitch Switch works best for someone who is only able to perform small movements. There are three sensors that can be placed wherever the user has the most controlled, repeatable, intentional movement. Sensor placement can include on the user's finger, wrist, foot, or head. The sensors are powered by rechargeable batteries and connect wirelessly to a controller. The sensitivity of each sensor can be adjusted using knobs on the controller.
The first way to use the Twitch Switch allows the user to activate up to 3 switch adapted devices. Whenever the corresponding switch is moved (even slightly!), the switch adapted device will be activated. The second way to use the Twitch Switch is for controlling a digital device such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone. The Twitch Switch can connect via Bluetooth or USB, and has 3 modes: mouse mode, tablet mode, and keyboard mode (which is best for switch control).
The Twitch Switch is intended primarily for people who have some controlled, repeatable, intentional movement, but otherwise have limited mobility and/or dexterity. This device may be beneficial for users with cerebral palsy (CP), spinal cord injuries (SCI), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy (MD), locked-in syndrome (LIS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or other disabilities or conditions that significantly limit movement.
The total cost of materials to build this device is around $360 (plus component shipping). The cost of materials per unit is around $200 (plus component shipping) if you are able to build in bulk.
This is an open-source assistive technology, so anyone is free to build it. All of the files and instructions required to build the device are contained within this repository. Refer to the Maker Guide below.
You may also submit a build request through the Makers Making Change Assistive Device Listing to have a volunteer maker build the device. As the requestor, you are responsible for reimbursing the maker for the cost of materials and any shipping.
If you have the skills and equipment to build this device, and would like to donate your time to create the device for someone who needs it, visit the MMC Maker Wanted section.
The Maker Guide contains all the necessary information to build this device, including tool lists, assembly instructions, programming instructions and testing.
This build requires two customs PCBS: one custom PCB for the controller and one custom PCB for each of the three sensors. The sensor PCB has a number of surface mount components and it is recommended to have the PCB fabricator assemble these components on the board.
The Bill of Materials lists all of the parts and components required to build the device.
All of the files and individual print files can be in the /Build_Files/3D_Printing_Files folder. Instructions and settings are provided in the 3D Printing Guide section of the Maker Guide.
Reference the Maker Guide for the tools and steps required to build each portion.
As open source assistive technology, you are welcomed and encouraged to improve upon the design.
| Document | Version | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Maker Guide | 1.0 | Twitch Switch_Maker_Guide |
| Bill of Materials | 1.0 | Twitch Switch_Bill_of_Materials |
| User Guide | 1.0 | Twitch Switch_User_Guide |
| Changelog | 1.0 | Changelog |
The Twitch Switch was designed by the Rehabilitation Engineering Department at Horizon Health's, Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation (SCCR). Development was supported through the Government of Canada's Innovation Science and Economic Development Accessible Technology Program. The ATP program enabled SCCR to deploy numerous Twitch Switches to users at reduced cost.
The latest design (V3.0) incorporates feedback and suggestions from numerous users, clinicians, and volunteer makers.
The latest design incorporates several commercially available open source hardware components from Adafruit. The Twitch Switch firmware utilizes the Arduino development platform, and a number of libraries developed and shared by the open source community.
The documentation template was created by Makers Making Change / Neil Squire Society and is used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license. It is available at the following link: https://github.com/makersmakingchange/OpenAT-Template
- Rachelle Bernier, Horizon Health Network.
- Marla Calder, Horizon Health Network
- Natasha Hanson, Horizon Health Network
- Dorian Hawkes, Horizon Health Network
- Rick McCaskill, Horizon Health Network
- Billie O'Connor, Horizon Health Network
- Kristen Culberson, Horizon Health Network
- Josie Versloot, Neil Squire Society / Makers Making Change
Copyright (c) 2020-2024 Stan Cassidy Center for Rehabilitation.
This repository describes Open Hardware:
- Everything needed or used to design, make, test, or prepare the Twitch Switch is licensed under the CERN 2.0 Weakly Reciprocal license (CERN-OHL-W v2) or later .
- All software is under the GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPL-3.0).
- Accompanying material such as instruction manuals, videos, and other copyrightable works that are useful but not necessary to design, make, test, or prepare the Twitch Switch are published under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license (CC BY-SA 4.0) .
You may redistribute and modify this documentation and make products using it under the terms of the CERN-OHL-W v2. This documentation is distributed WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY, INCLUDING OF MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Please see the CERN-OHL-W v2 for applicable conditions.
Source Location: https://github.com/makersmakingchange/Twitch-Switch
Makers Making Change is a program of Neil Squire, a Canadian non-profit that uses technology, knowledge, and passion to empower people with disabilities.
Makers Making Change leverages the capacity of community based Makers, Disability Professionals and Volunteers to develop and deliver affordable Open Source Assistive Technologies.
- Website: www.MakersMakingChange.com
- GitHub: makersmakingchange
- X (formerly Twitter): @makermakechange
- Instagram: @makersmakingchange
- Facebook: makersmakechange
- LinkedIn: Neil Squire Society
- Thingiverse: makersmakingchange
- Printables: MakersMakingChange
For technical questions, to get involved, or to share your experience we encourage you to visit our website or contact us.