Tap Strap
Industrial Design + Anthropometric Research
TAP is a futuristic input device designed for a wide range of mobile and VR/AR applications. It packs the functionality of a keyboard and mouse into a compact, one-hand operated package that can be used on virtually any surface. I had the pleasure of working closely with the inventors, engineers, and manufacturers across three continents to bring this product to life.
The core challenge was integrating the accelerometers on the flex PCB to the five finger rings. Sensor precision was paramount and required the fingers to move freely in isolation from each other, demanding a balance of strength and flexibility in the design. Dozens of ideas were prototyped and revised to define the optimal combination of material and assembly for the design direction.
Flex PCB Challenge
To create a solution that fits comfortably on all finger sizes and hand spans, hundreds of finger measurements were collected to form dimensional parameters. Rings of various sizes and shapes were prototyped and tested to help narrow down to two final sizes, economizing inventory and cost.
Design for comfort & fit
We explored dozens of component layouts and ID for the thumb ring, which housed the main PCBA, battery, and the optical mouse. A high degree of technical collaboration with the EE and ME teams was critical to delivering a high-precision package while maintaining design intent.
