LipSync

Over the past few months, we've been working on improving the LipSync firmware and incorporating a number of other smaller changes. We've made a number of changes and incorporated feedback from preliminary testing with a small group of LipSync users and we're now ready to share this update with the community in an open Beta.

You can find the updated files on Github here.

Here are a few of the big changes:
1. Reduced cursor drift

2. Application Programming Interface

3. Additional Mounting Options

1. Reduced cursor drift.

The force sensitive resistors (FSRs) that make up the joystick are notoriously finicky and the reported values shift over time which can cause the cursor to move unexpectedly. We've added some code to better differentiate purposeful movement from this sensor drift so the cursor should only move when you want it to.

2. Application Programming Interface (API)

We've added an API so that majority of settings can now be changed through a serial interface rather than requiring a change to the code. We've had preliminary success with a proof of concept Android App and ultimately this should allow a user to change many of the LipSync settings independently. For now, the API can be accessed by manually sending serial commands to the LipSync. The addition of the API also has the added benefit of being able to access real-time sensor values so we can diagnose problems and perform a variety of testing that wasn't possible before.

3. Additional Mounting Options

We normally refer to the top of the LipSync as the portion with the LED and the mounting connection on the bottom. Moving the mouthpiece towards the top moves the cursor up on the screen. This provides an intuitive mapping (i.e., a match) between the motion of the mouthpiece and the motion of the cursor if both the LipSync and the screen are mounted with their tops up (i.e., 0 Degrees). In some cases, it is more convenient to mount the LipSync in a different orientation (e.g. upside down, 180 degrees). 

Previously, mounting the LipSync in a different orientation would cause a confusing mapping between mouthpiece motion and cursor motion since the code continued to treat movement towards the top of the LipSync as up. It was possible to manually change the code to correct the mapping, but this requires someone with the skill to do so and access to a computer.

Now, the mounting orientation can be changed by changing a single entry in the code, or using the API. This will make it much easier to use and change between different mounting orientations, which will provide additional mounting options.

Let us know if you test out the updated code and have any feedback. You can reach out here or on our forum. 

Entering in this year's UCPLA contest thread of the Hackaday contest. We are also very excited to see other entries in looking at access technology for people with disabilities. LipSync is still a major device for us, but now at www.makersmakingchange.com we have over 90 open source hardware projects on our site, and our forum has many other design challenges submitted by real users with disabilities looking for access solutions. So thank you to all you socially conscious hackers! #UCPLA

Hi everyone, 

While it has been a while since we have updated our hackaday page, the LipSync lives on. There is some exciting pieces for you, as the LipSync now has a few variants:

• Original LipSync - emulates a USB mouse
• LipSync Wireless - emulates a wireless bluetooth mouse
• LipSync Gaming - emulates a USB joystick / gamepad. This is compatible with XBOX Adaptive Controller and any deskop/laptop.
• LipSync Macro - emulates a USB keyboard, useful with older versions of iOS that do not have mouse support to provide switch access through the accessibility features.

All of our resources are on our website, Makers Making Change:

https://www.makersmakingchange.com/project/lipsync/

All of our code, 3d files, bill of materials, are all available though that link, as well as our GivHub Repo:

https://github.com/makersmakingchange

You can bring Makers Making Change to your community in two ways: by becoming a Community Champion or by starting a Community Chapter.

Sign up as a Community Champion

• Raise awareness through hosting a presentation at your workplace or in your community
• Distribute our pamphlet to maker and disability groups in your region
• Help identify interested parties and user needs
• Express interest in being a Community Champion here

Sign up to start a Community Chapter

• Use your makerspace, classroom or club as a hub for 3D printing and/or building of projects requested from our open source Projects Library
• Lead events and workshops: engage makers and/or disability professionals in fun meetups that help identify device needs, teach maker skills and build community between these groups
• Express interest in starting a Community Chapter here

Our Low-Tech AT Kit, which includes (clockwise from top right): bottle opener, palm pen holder, ball pen holder, key turner, nail clipper

Shortly after we review your application, we'll send you some documents to read over followed by a quiz. Once you successfully complete the quiz, you will be given access to marketing materials, template emails, presentations, and outreach materials to start making connections in your community.

Questions? Please reach out to Zee Kesler, Makers Making Change Project Manager, at zeek@neilsquire.ca.

We appreciate all the help! We couldn't do what we do without volunteers who contribute their time and skills.

Over the next couple weeks, we'll be hosting and attending a range of buildathons, maker faires, and workshops in the United States. Each of them offers an opportunity to have fun and learn new things while working together on solutions to benefit people with disabilities.

Student makers working on LipSyncs at a prior buildathon

We hope you’ll join us at an event or two if you’re in the area. Click on each event link to learn more and register:

• World Maker Faire New York: September 22nd - 23rd
• LipSync Buildathon at NY Designs: September 24th
• LipSync Buildathon at NYC Resistor: September 24th
• LipSync Buildathon at Open Works Baltimore, MD: September 26th
• Open Source AT Workshop in Washington, DC: September 26th and 30th
• AT Makers' Fair in Concord, NH: September 29th

We look forward to seeing you!

On September 29th, Makers Making Change will be in Concord, NH for the AT Makers’ Fair. This AT-dedicated fair brings together makers of all abilities to share ideas, develop new skills, and enhance innovations for people with disabilities.

The fair will feature talks by AT maker movement leaders, hands-on workshops, an AT Invention contest, a Make AT Café makerspace, and more.

The Make AT Café is a particularly cool space. Participants can make and take home a variety of AT devices using various plastics, wire, specialty tapes, and basic hand tools. Many of the devices address specific challenges; these include low vision devices, holding and gripping devices, toy adaptations, communication access devices, and more.

In addition, Chad Leaman, Director of Innovation, will be facilitating a workshop called Connecting to Makers and Quality Open AT Projects. The workshop will explore a range of freely available open-source assistive devices and resources, as well as community groups that can help in designing and making assistive devices.

Register now for the AT Makers’ Fair. The deadline is September 14th. We look forward to seeing you there!

Are you actively involved in the maker community in Calgary?

Are you an electronics and 3D printing whiz?

We are looking for a Regional Coordinator who will work to integrate Makers Making Change within the community. You’ll love this role if you are a maker who is actively involved in maker culture – someone who is passionate about creating in all aspects of life. You'll interact and work with diverse groups of people, including people with disabilities, organizations, and disability professionals.

Makers at a prior LipSync Buildathon, soldering away

As a Regional Coordinator, you'll help integrate our work into makerspaces and hackspaces, whether at libraries, universities, for-profit or community-run spaces, or schools. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to develop curriculum for middle and high school students, utilizing “design thinking” methodologies.

Read more about the opening. We look forward to connecting with you!

Exactly a month from now, we will be at World Maker Faire New York. You can meet us at our booth throughout the weekend of September 22–23. Learn more and get your Maker Faire tickets here: https://makerfaire.com/new-york/

At Maker Faire, I will also be on a panel centred on making assistive technologies for people with disabilities. I'll be joining these brilliant makers:

• Jon Schull of e-NABLE, a network of volunteers creating free open-source 3D printed prosthetics for children and underserved populations
• Holly Cohen of DIYAbility, which empowers people to not only to make access solutions for people with disabilities, but to also help people with disabilities be makers
• Liz Arum of Ultimaker, who is 3D printing resources for blind students

We’re interested in organizing a small LipSync Buildathon or two in the week after Maker Faire in the New York area and on the East Coast. If you’d like to be involved, please email me at chadl@neilsquire.ca.

We look forward to seeing you there!

We're having a busy and fun time doing a lot of backend work here at Makers Making Change. One of our projects: testing and fixing a whole bunch of LipSyncs to make sure they are functioning brilliantly before being sent to people who need them.

We are glad to have Fawzan’s help in testing these LipSyncs. As you may remember, Fawzan is a high school student who, along with his student group, 3D-printed assistive devices from our library for people with disabilities. Read more about Fawzan’s work.

You won't hear from us as often in the next few weeks while we work on these projects. In the meantime, you can always give us a shout or get involved on our website. Have a bright rest-of-the-summer!