Microsoft’s announcement of the Xbox Adaptive Controller made waves through the industry as this would be the debuting first-party developed gamepad for people unable to use a traditional controller. While there are other alternative that made gaming possible for those hindered from their respected condition, Microsoft’s new controller also prices much lower than other accessible-friendly controllers at only $99.99.
And although the Adaptive Controller already opens new possibilities for disabled players who benefit from the hands-on peripheral, it has been proven that more can be achieved from Microsoft’s initial creation.
Debuting that Freedom Wing Adapter, AbleGamers reveals a new device that allows players bound to a wheelchair to transfer the power towards controlling their Xbox console. In collaboration with AT Makers and Gra-V Robotics, the combined minds effectively produced a few of these creations into reality. And watching the “magic” as AbleGamers COO Steve Spohn plays Rocket League with his wheelchair surely is amazing.
You can watch the video of the Freedom Wing Adapter in action below:
Initially, Bill Binko who created the power converter shared that after meeting with Spohn in September, the organization were trying to develop a tool which would emulate a proportional joystick to help control wheelchairs for children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). But after talking with the AbleGamers founder, this then entailed for the development to expand the control to video game hardware.
The adapter plugs into the wheelchair operator with a 9-pin port which transfer the energy from the mechanism to the joystick for the chair. Then after plugging in the adapter to the respected socket for the Adaptive Controller, you can use the wheelchair to control the game. Spohn illustrates that through using the chair’s gearshift to control the throttle for the car in Rocket League.
Binko goes on to explain that there is plenty of flexibility for other windows such as controlling Bluetooth devices or even controllers hooked up via Wi-Fi. Partnering with Gra-V Robotics is what brings the Freedom Wing Adapter to life as Binko tells that the company is manufacturing the tech for around $35 after all the other bells and whistles.
In other related news to new initiatives for alternative gaming peripherals, a patent for controller with “braille-assisting features” was filed by Microsoft last year. You can read the full report by heading here.
What other possibilities do you think this new tool will open for players with disabilities?
