Design and Evaluation of an Open-Source Haptic Mouse for Geometry Learning
The Haptic Mouse is an open-source, three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) haptic interface designed for low-cost fabrication and active exploration of 2-D digital graphics by blind and visually impaired (BVI) students. Developed to overcome barriers in STEM education, this device specifically aids in geometry instruction.
Through a custom 3D-printed delta parallel mechanism, the mouse renders contours, reference points, and enclosed regions using multimodal haptic cues, such as stiffness changes and directional oscillations. It also incorporates auditory feedback (white noise) to support spatial reorientation when the user’s cursor moves away from a target.
A dedicated Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows instructors to configure shapes (such as rectangles, triangles, and circles), modify geometric parameters in real time, and monitor a student’s exploration to provide timely guidance.
Open-Source Files (BOM and STLs)
The Haptic Mouse is open-source. The complete Bill of Materials (BOM) and the custom part files (STLs) are available for download below.
Bill of Materials
3D-printed parts (STL)
| Part | File |
|---|---|
| Base | base_V3.STL |
| Base leg (×3) | baseleg_V2.STL |
| Flexure half A (×3) | flexure_half_V2.STL |
| Flexure half B (×3) | flexure_half_V2_2.STL |
| End-effector top | top.STL |
| Mouse bottom assembly | Mouse_Bottom_assembly.STL |
| Mouse top | Mouse_Top.STL |
| Tracking pen case | Pen_case.STL |
