Water Controller

Water-Filled USB 4-Directional Controller

2004

The water controller is a directional input device that, when connected to a USB port and filled with water, allows for pseudo-analog control. Tilting the box in one of four directions causes a force to be applied to an on-screen object in that direction. The magnitude of the force is directly proportional to the tilt duration. The on-screen object's motion results from the application of these forces. Water was chosen because of the latency of moving liquid. This limitation forces deliberate manipulation causing a tension similar to that of a marble labyrinth. The water's inertia and tendency to spill adds to the anxiety of gameplay.

Construction · Four wires, mounted inside the box, are positioned at each corner just above the brass base plate to which a fifth wire is soldered to. As the box is tilted, water collects in the lowest corner and causes a circuit between the wire at that corner and the brass base plate. Via a hacked keyboard, this causes one of four key press events to be sent to the computer, one at each corner.

Anxiety · The desire to react quickly is tempered by aversion to sloshing water

1 hour prototype · Glue, hacked keyboard, and a bit of code