A custom Xbox add-on turns your power wheelchair into a controller
It's time to re-purpose Nintendo's old "Now you're playing with power!" tagline.
There's a new custom-made add-on for the Xbox Adaptive Controller that allows people to use their power wheelchair controls to play games. This so-called "Freedom Wing Adapter" came out of a partnership between the AbleGamers charity organization and ATMakers.
That latter group, founded by a man named Bill Binko, describes itself as "an experiment in solving problems in Assistive Technology using the skills and tools of the Maker community." AbleGamers, meanwhile, has been working since 2004 to make games more accessible for people with disabilities.
In fact, AbleGamers was one of the groups that worked with Microsoft on ensuring that the Xbox Adaptive Controller, released in Sept. 2018, would actually be helpful. So this Freedom Wing Adapter is familiar territory.
It's not just for the Xbox Adaptive Controller, however. While the one featured in the video below does sport a 9-pin connector so it can plug into the power wheelchair of AbleGamers COO Steve Spohn, Binko explains that the design is simple and (no pun intended) adaptable enough to play nice with other hardware as well, including those that depend on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
AbleGamers noted on Twitter that some number of Freedom Wing Adapters have already been produced and distribution is underway. The tweet also notes that the organization is working with ATMakers to get assembly instructions released for any DIYers in the audience.
Binko runs also through the basic building process in the video, for the really inventive folks who just can't wait. It's not a step-by-step guide, but there's enough information, as well as a rough cost of materials (less than $50 all in), for the tech-savvy among you to start playing around if building a Freedom Wing Adapter is in your plans.
Topics Gaming Social Good Innovations
Adam Rosenberg is a Senior Games Reporter for Mashable, where he plays all the games. Every single one. From AAA blockbusters to indie darlings to mobile favorites and browser-based oddities, he consumes as much as he can, whenever he can.Adam brings more than a decade of experience working in the space to the Mashable Games team. He previously headed up all games coverage at Digital Trends, and prior to that was a long-time, full-time freelancer, writing for a diverse lineup of outlets that includes Rolling Stone, MTV, G4, Joystiq, IGN, Official Xbox Magazine, EGM, 1UP, UGO and others.Born and raised in the beautiful suburbs of New York, Adam has spent his life in and around the city. He's a New York University graduate with a double major in Journalism and Cinema Studios. He's also a certified audio engineer. Currently, Adam resides in Crown Heights with his dog and his partner's two cats. He's a lover of fine food, adorable animals, video games, all things geeky and shiny gadgets.
