Ard Jacobs, graduate student at Eindhoven University of Technology in Amsterdam, has invented a new way to play video games with unique game controllers. Jacobs has designed and created two cushions that are aimed to help children with autism communicate, or those diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), to calm down and focus.
As where most children become worked up and excited when the play video games, Jacobs aims to do just the opposite with his game controller cushions. He creates this experience through a shared game in which two people have to work together to move a pointer around a screen while collecting tokens and avoiding obstacles.
These game controllers are not your traditional game controllers since they are cushions/pillows, however Jacobs said choosing cushions as the controller was an easy choice. Jacobs stated that cushions already had an emotional and comforting perception. People already have strong connections with pillows. Whether that be laying on it, hugging it, or just have it close to their body. The two players each use their own cushion/pillow controller. One controls vertical movement while the other controls horizontal movement. All a player needs to do is squeeze or press the cushion, which then signals the pointer to move.
Communication is essential and emphasized with Jacob’s controllers. The two players must work together on a joint task therefore insuring communication throughout the whole experience. For people with autism this experience can help strengthen comprehension skills, understanding other’s intentions, and non-verbal communication between the two players.
Jacobs has stated that the new state of the art technology has yet to be fully trailed and tested however they are planning to run a longitudinal test soon. It has been informally tested with a friend and his nine year-old son who has autism, and it proved very successful. The best part, the cushion/pillow still can act like a pillow. You can even hit your opponent on the head and it would cause no harm! There is nothing hard inside. Jacobs has applied for a patent and plans to graduate from the master’s program next summer and open a business producing the cushion as a commercial device shortly after.
The goal for this product was to provide children with a video gaming experience where they could relax, enjoy themselves, and enhance their communication skills all while playing a fun video game with friends and family. What an innovative approach to video gaming for children with autism or ADHD!
