Fourteen-year-old Scott Merrow of Auburn, New Hampshire, has developed an adaptive virtual reality controller using a 3D-printed arm sleeve and pressure sensors, according to local reports. Playing video games with friends has always required Merrow, an eighth grader at Auburn Village School who has a condition called symbrachydactyly affecting finger development, to find his own way to use standard equipment. While traditional game controllers allowed him to divide controls between his lap and hands, virtual reality systems created a new obstacle because they require controllers to be held in each hand.
How the 3D-Printed Adaptive VR Controller Works
To overcome the grip requirements of standard virtual reality hardware, Merrow turned to a school project for inspiration and asked his uncle, mechanical engineer Brandyn Lewis, for assistance, according to local reporting. After moving through three different versions at Lewis’s shop at New Hampshire Ball Bearings, the final prototype utilizes a 3D-printed sleeve that wraps around Merrow’s arm. Inside the sleeve, a built-in sensor measures pressure applied by Merrow’s arm. A computer then interprets those pressure inputs and translates them into signals that tell the virtual reality controller which buttons to activate, bypassing the need to hold the left-hand controller manually.
Invention Convention Success and National Competition
The third prototype successfully allowed Merrow to test left-handed controls in a virtual reality environment, such as throwing a paper airplane in a game. Merrow entered the device into the Invention Convention, a worldwide educational program for students in kindergarten through grade 12, according to local coverage. After capturing second place in the New England regional competition, Merrow is scheduled to travel to Michigan for the national convention. His parents, Kristine and Barry Merrow, expressed pride in his work, noting that he speaks about his invention comfortably without needing rehearsal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What condition does Scott Merrow have?
According to Boston Children’s Hospital cited in local reports, Merrow has symbrachydactyly, a condition in which fingers may be underdeveloped or may not develop at all.
Who helped Merrow build the adaptive controller?
Merrow built the device with his uncle, Brandyn Lewis, who is a mechanical engineer at New Hampshire Ball Bearings.
Where is the invention heading next?
After winning second place in the New England regional event, Merrow is heading to Michigan for the national Invention Convention.
What advice does Merrow give to other kids facing challenges?
Merrow advises others not to give up, stating that they should keep trying and figure out another path because there is always another way.
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