Headmouse Hacks

February 17, 2025 3:15 PM

I'm an aging person with a physical disability who is struggling to keep using a headmouse for computer access. Are there any hacks that would make it easier to move the cursor?

For the past 30 years or so, I have used a particular type of headmouse (link to pdf of user manual) to use my computer. This assistive technology got me through school and helped me secure gainful employment. Recently, I have noticed that I'm having more difficulty moving the cursor with my head. This is probably due to a combination of age and the progressive nature of my disability.

I can move the cursor vertically without much issue, but moving the cursor horizontally across a 24" monitor can be exhausting at times. I have the pointer speed in Windows turned up to the max, but I wish that I could turn it up further.

I did try using a Tobii eyegaze system, but I found it to be terribly slow (even compared to my current setup).

I'd appreciate any tips on Windows hacks that might make it easier to use my headmouse. I'm also open to suggestions on alternative methods for accessing my computer. I should mention that I have very limited movement and my speech is generally difficult for computers (and people) to understand.

Thanks for reading!

posted by wintermute2_0 to Computers & Internet (8 answers total)

(I mention this only because I noticed the particular manual you linked shows an older computer model - have you already ruled out a technical problem with the mouse or any replaceable parts? Sorry if this is not applicable!)
posted by itsatextfile at 4:09 PM on February 17

I have heard of people doing this sort of thing for different reasons -- gaming, mostly -- and I'm not sure the approaches they use would work for your hardware. You didn't say what version of Windows you use, so this particular one might not be what you need: https://sugarsweetapps.com/blog/how-to-customize-mouse-acceleration-in-windows-11-smoothmousexcurve-and-smoothmouseycurve/

There's a link at the top of the page for a piece of software that claims to automate the steps in the link I've provided. I cannot vouch for it.

Google searches for mouse acceleration curves should get you resources on the same topic for your version of Windows.
posted by AbelMelveny at 4:15 PM on February 17

Here's a post on the same topic for older versions of Windows, up to 8. There's also another, smaller piece of custom software at this link.

https://esreality.com/post/2363191/custom-mouse-accel-program-for-windows/
posted by AbelMelveny at 4:18 PM on February 17

I guess this is on the windows hacks end of things, you can make your cursor wrap around the screen i.e. mouse goes off left edge and comes back around on right edge. I haven't used this software but it's in the Windows Store so it's probably alright.
posted by gregr at 4:18 PM on February 17

In the spirit of safety, I can confirm that the first software I linked to above is also available through the Windows store. However, my reading of the features of the software does not support my previous assertion that it would allow you to create and use custom mouse acceleration curves. So maybe I'm wrong, or maybe you need to use the widget and directions of the first link, which involves manually backing up and then editing the registry.

I'll stop thread sitting now
posted by AbelMelveny at 4:31 PM on February 17

This is another mouse acceleration program for windows that looks pretty good (though I haven't tried it myself).

Another idea is you could consider moving to a different (newer) device that might have more options of this type.

One that looks pretty good is the SmartNav system. Another vendor. It is made by the same people who make the TrackIR headtracking system for gameplay. However, it looks like it has been discontinued now as well. Still, it will probably be about 25 years more up to date than your current system, and apparently had quite wide adoption. Video.

Here is another system that looks to be still maintained.

Just having used headtracking for game purposes for many years now, I can tell you that one thing that has dramatically changed just in the past 3-4 years is AI assisted head tracking systems can do a really excellent job of detecting head movements with a simple webcam type setup. So you don't need the IR lights or dots any more, or any special thing mounted on your head. So there may well be systems like this but better, if you do some searching.

For example, what I use myself is the Smoothtrack android app (running on a phone), send that output to the open source OpenTrack software, that turns it into windows joystick output, and then you can use a program like qjoypad to turn that into mouse movements. qjoypad is very customizable so I think it could be adjusted to meet your particular needs.

That all sounds like a complicated series of programs, but I'm using something very, very similar for game headtracking, and it works very well - better than TrackIR ever did. And though there are several programs working together, they are all open source type programs that are under active and continuous development. So, an option to be considered.
posted by flug at 5:49 PM on February 17

I used to use a Naturapoint system and helped a family friend with MS use a system similar to yours.

I found the best way to amplify the movements of a head tracker was with moving a head mounted sensor or reflector further outward from the vertical axis of the neck. Having a reflector on the end of a microphone boom, or on the tip of a brim of a hat, for example. So any movements are amplified by virtue of being further from the place that you are rotating/moving.

I'm not quite sure how to pull that off, but using some of the new reflector-less systems, with a brimmed hat or a microphone with something on the tip, might work well if directed to track that object.
posted by MonsieurBon at 6:29 PM on February 17 [1 favorite]

I'm wondering if there's an updated driver option for your headmouse that might give it greater horizontal acceleration rather than just top speed. The demands of gamers have a surprising overlap with assistive tech needs, and this has made many advanced and user-tunable input techniques much more mainstream and (in theory) affordable. In practice, alas, Tobii still charge new-car money for a decade out of date tablet that just happens to have their gaze tracking tech on it.

Having worked with people who rely on assistive computer technology, your computer setup is probably built on what's now considered "obsolete" hardware and software. It can take a team of dedicated techs to ensure that new components work with your system in the way you need it. That, plus so many bodged-together AutoHotkey scripts. I really don't know what adaptive computer technology would do without AutoHotkey.

(I used to be with Makers Making Change, a Canadian charity that developed open source assistive technology with people with disabilities. They have chapters all across North America. Some of the local chapters have volunteer AT specialists who can help with device selection and setup.)
posted by scruss at 6:42 PM on February 17 [3 favorites]