Form & Function
STEER Mobile Steering Game Controller
Mickey Wong Brian Lee KC Ko
Content
Primary Research Design Brief Secondary Research Implement
Primary Research Usage Cycle Market Research Existing Product
Usage Cycle
We analysed the Usage Cycle of common mobile game controller. The result shows that most of the keywords related to the “ING” Some keywords, like “Size” and ”Weight” related to more than one stage. Our design will mainly focus on the “ING” stage.
PRE - Search & Recognize - Take out - Turn on - Assemble - Connection - Mobile Position
- Start Game
- Phone-in
- Press & Control
- Listen & Hang up
- Sudden Pause
- Earphone
- Resume
- Adjust volume
- End game
ING
POST - Disconnection - Placement - Form - Size - Weight - Recharge - Cleaning - Repairment
MaRket Research
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Phone Users: Other Devices : 17% Smartpone : 83%
Smartphone Types: iOS : 36.5% Android : 63.5%
Smartphone is a potential market as using smartphone becomes a mainstream
Both markets support game applications
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User types: Workforce : 60.3% Student : 27.6%
User Incomes: HKD 10000-19999 : 43% HKD 20000-29999 : 20%
Our product can be a luxury for the game enthusiasts
Our product price should be set in an affortable range
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Time of using smartphone for: Using other functions : 80% Playing Mobile Game : 20% Most smartphone users spend time on playing mobile game everyday
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Bring Smartphone: Outdoor : 77% Do not bring/have phone : 23%
Using smartphone outdoor: Play mobile games : 79% Use other functions : 21%
Mobility becomes an important factor for our product
Existing Product
Battery Indication Inserted LED light shows the battery life. The material and thickness of the cover will affect the indication.
Action Buttons Control different movement depend on different game setting. The graphics are commonly either “ABXY” or “1234”.
Direction Pad Control the moving direction in game. The pad is mold in one piece so it is easier to command 8 directions.
Power Switch
Analog Sticks
Switch on/off the controller. The button is commonly place in middle. It also turns on the build-in wireless connecter.
Mushroom-shaped ABS stick which allow the user give direction command more precisely.
The basic component set of a mobile game controller is similar to TV game or other game controller. The layout are also similar due to the accessibility of all button on the controller. It was a reference for our design.
Appearance
Size
Weight
Based on the information given by the manufacturer, we mapped out some existing products. The 3 dimension we used was “weight”, “Size” and “Appearance”. This study helped us to have a better understanding of design language of the mobile game controller.
Design Brief Target User : - Mobile game player - Racing game user - Realistic steering experience - Android/ IOS user -
Function : - Steering controller without turning the head - Basic command in game - Rechargable -
Feature : - Vibration - Dolby 2.1 - Air-blow excitment - Battery indication - LED back light - Shooting button - Shrifting button - Aircraft mode - Racing mode - Docking mode -
Secondary Research Form Study Driver Behaviour Technology Study Application
Driver Behavior This method is difficult to apply steering smoothly and progressively and let the driver off-balance.
The Double‒Handed Swing Steering This method inputs the steering progressively and with sensitivity. It provides a considerable degree of physical effort to keep the direction changes going when the power assistance and the steering mechanism are lost. Fixed Arm or Fixed Grip Steering This method hinders the ability to apply steering smoothly, progressively and speedily. It also has the limitations on stature and upper body strength. Rotational Steering This method does not require driver to change the hand position which is a relaxing and comfortable position during driving. Combination Method of Steering
This method provides a smooth and flowing manner, even when driving a modern car with power assisted steering, smaller steering wheel and high‒geared steering rack.
Pull‒Push Steering
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The most common steering wheel methods are 10-2 and 9-3 which represent the wheel position the driver grips.
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A higher grip allows a driver to keep the car running smoothly without needing to jerk the wheel suddenly if cut off or if there is a hazard in the road. In reality, drivers arms may get walloped or thrown back into his or her face if an air bag deploys.
A greater range of motion and control with drivers hands. It will increase your sensitivity to the car's traction limits, and improve your awareness of the car's handling.
C
CLASSIC
C
-THIN-
E
-LIGHT-BIG WHEEL-SIMPLE-
FORM STUDY
CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY FUTURISTIC RACING GAME
CONTEMPORARY
-MULTI FUNCTION-MORE HANDY-THINCK-MORE MRGONOMIC-
Y
FUTURISTI CONCEPTUAL
-CYBER-COMPLEX FORM-
RACING
-FULLY CONTROLL-ACCESSIBILITY-
GAME
-SIMULATION-BACK LIGHT-
AIRCRAFT STUDY
(A) STICK (B) BUTTERFLY STEERING WHEEL (C) SQUARE STEERING WHEEL
COMPARISION
Form:
Square
Controll: Up / Down / Left / Right Straight Handle Button on the top of Handle Context: Controlling With camplex command
Form:
Circle
Controll: Turn Lelt / Right (Friction From Wheels Turning) Rotate in Wide Rage Button almost near Middle Context: Controlling basic function
Technology Study Brushless Gimbal Motor
Brushless gimbal motor is boardly used in camera holder. It consists of 2 sections. One section connects with the camera while the other section connects with the moving part. When the sensor built in the moving part sense the change of angle, the controller chip will adjust the change of angle. Therefore, the camera can maintain horiszontal while the user rotate the stick. In some product the motor is used in mobile phone holder. This technology can be implemented in our design so that the mobile phone can maintain still while the user steer the controller.
Mainta
in hori zonta
l
Components
Controller Chip
Sensor Chip
Brushless Gimbal Motor
Feiyu Tech Co.
G4 3-Axis Handheld Steady Gimbal
Vibration Feedback Vibration feedback of the game controller can be used to create a feeling of immersion within an environment. This provide a more exciting game experience which is close to the reality.
Viration Motor
Types
Coin-type Vibration Motor
Bar-type Vibration Motor
Features Permanent Magnetic Light Weight Less Noise
The rotation of the weight creates vibration.
Technology Study Deconstruction
We deconstructed two computer game controllers to explore the interior of it. The structure of the controller was quite simple. The cover was injection molded with lots of ribs and aligning holes. The vibration motor was installed in the handle part so that the vibrateion can directly hit the palms of user. Everything were connect to the electric board with cable. There were silcone pads between the button and the board. The pads were specifically designed for the contact.
Technology Study Implement
Air Flow Simulation - 4-dimension - Air blow into the palm - Compressed air gun
Lifting / Flying in the air >Blow
Competitor pass by >Blow
Boosting >Blow harder
Structural Layout
Phone Holder Gimbal motor Wheel Body Button Vibration Motor Battery Speaker Electric board
Sensor chip
LED light
Motor controller
Compressed Air Stock
Implement Ideation Model making Renderings
Ideation
Model Making
Exploded View
Handle 1
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3 4 11
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1.Handle Cover
7.Shoulder Button
2.Slice Cover
8.Shooting Button
3.Buttons
9.Handle Base
4.Button Platform
10.Vibration Motor
5.Silcone Base
11.Air Stock
6.Electric Board
12.Connet Port
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Body 1
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1.Body Cover
7.Plug-in Platform
2.Speaker Cover
8.Speaker Cover
3.Electric Board
9.Sound Component
4.Buttons
10.Speaker Body
5.Eject Button
11.Base Body
6.Stands
12.Battery
Mobile Phone Holder
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1.COVER 2.EVA 3.Body 4.USB 5.Base