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Human-Centered Design, Rapid Prototyping, Laser Cutting, User Testing, SolidWorks
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ToeTapText is an assistive technology project that re-imagines the keyboard for individuals who type with their feet. This project proves that the most powerful solutions don't require complex technology. This project is a study in low-tech, high-impact design, created to solve the significant ergonomic challenges faced by individuals who type with their feet.
For anyone who types with their feet, finding an ergonomic setup is nearly impossible with off-the-shelf products. Our collaborator, Jessica, had resourcefully hacked together a system using a laptop stand and a support box. While innovative, this makeshift solution was a daily source of compromise and frustration. Our challenge was to deconstruct the flaws in this setup and engineer a dedicated solution.
We identified two core problems that became our design focus:
Instability: The repurposed laptop stand was too narrow for a full keyboard. This created a precarious balance where applying pressure to the number pad or edge keys would cause the entire setup to tip over, interrupting workflow.B
locked Access: A rigid lip on the stand—designed to hold a laptop—obstructed easy access to the bottom row of keys. This made hitting the space bar and command key an awkward and inefficient maneuver.
Our goal was clear: to design a low-tech, high-impact system that would replace these improvised parts with a stable, fully accessible, and genuinely comfortable ergonomic solution.
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ketch of the laptop stand at a 1/3 angle | Sketch of the laptop stand side view, showing keyboard and the lip of the stand |
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Image of the actual setup showing part of the stand and the mouse pad | A sketch of the setup with the stand, a box used for support and a mouse pad used for padding |
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Actual image of jessica using the setup and typing with her feet | A sketch of the setup highlighting all essential components and feet placement |
After a journey of exploration and user-centered refinement, the project culminated in the ToeTapText system: a three-part, non-electronic solution that creates a profoundly better typing experience. This system directly solves the core challenges of instability, blocked keys, and poor ergonomic support identified in the initial setup.
The final design consists of three simple tools that work in harmony:
The Custom Keyboard Stand: A stable, non-powered stand designed to the exact width of a keyboard. It provides the perfect ergonomic angle for comfortable viewing while its minimalist frame ensures unobstructed access to every key.
The Contoured Heel Rest: A carefully shaped passive support that cradles the user's heel and foot arch. This simple ergonomic addition provides crucial stability and allows for a natural range of motion, dramatically increasing comfort and endurance.
Intuitive Tactile Overlays for touch de: Simple, textured key overlays that provide essential sensory feedback. This low-tech enhancement makes touch-typing faster and more confident without any software or batteries.
Ultimately, ToeTapText is a testament to the power of thoughtful, simple design. It proves that by focusing on a user's fundamental needs, we can create accessible solutions that have a significant and immediate positive impact on our daily lives.
