Summary of BrainTap: the interactive arthritis and memory exercise game
This University of Technology Sydney project is a skill-based memory and fine motor exercise game for Baby Boomers. It uses an Arduino microcontroller to present randomized light and sound sequences that users mimic on a custom glove. Each finger corresponds to a specific color, with difficulty increasing across levels. The device features rapid-prototyped PLA casing, laser-cut accents, tactile feedback in fingers, and vibration motors for win/loss cues.
Parts used in the BrainTap Memory Game:
- Arduino microcontrollers
- Rapid prototyped PLA body from Solidworks .stl file
- Car body paint
- Laser cut black front piece
- Vibration motor wired into the palm
- Aural and visual feedback components
- Colored sensors for each finger
- Hardwired random sequence lights
I built this project at at uni as a 3rd year project (with a couple of classmates) at the University of Technology, Sydney.It is aimed at Baby Boomers and targets a skill and level based memory and fine motor skills exercise game. The form is based on Arduino microcontrollers and hardwired with a randomised sequence of lights to test memory skills. It works by presenting a randomised sequence (with visual and aural notes) which must be mimicked on the glove in the same order (each finger has a different colour on it, that corresponds to the lights on the device). It’s based on levels, so it gets harder and harder each time.
The form was Rapid prototyped at our school using PLA from a Solidworks .stl file and finished off with car body paint and polished to a high quality finish. We also laser cut the black front piece for extra visual flare (using our school’s laser cutter)
It also features tactile feedback in the fingers (when they are pressed to respond to the sequence) vibration feedback on victory or failure(small vibration motor wired into the palm of the glove) as well as aural and visual feedback to stimulate memory cognition (provided by the main “box”)
From our initial idea concept, I think the end result turned out pretty well! It works well, looks pretty good and does indeed make exercising the hand for fine motor skills a little more fun and challenging! The only thing that I found with this is that it gets really…really hard. I couldn’t get past about 5 levels or so, check the video in the last step to see what I mean!
Step 1: Idea gen
Step 2: 3d CAD modelling
Step 3: Wiring and Code
We then had to write the code and wire the device properly
Step 4: 3d printing body + paint
Step 5: Assembling device
- Who is the target audience for this project?
The project targets Baby Boomers. - What hardware controls the randomized sequence of lights?
An Arduino microcontroller handles the wiring and sequence control. - How does the user interact with the device to mimic the sequence?
Users press fingers on a glove where each finger has a different color corresponding to the lights. - What materials were used to create the device body?
The body was 3D printed using PLA and finished with car body paint. - Does the game provide feedback for victory or failure?
Yes, a small vibration motor wired into the palm provides vibration feedback. - How does the difficulty change during gameplay?
The game is based on levels that get harder each time the user progresses. - What additional visual element was added to the front of the device?
A black front piece was laser cut for extra visual flare. - What type of cognitive skills does the game aim to improve?
The game aims to test memory skills and fine motor skills.
