APEM announced the expanded availability of the XS Series low-profile joystick/thumbstick, ideal for robust applications requiring precise control of industrial equipment, construction vehicles, and marine vessels. Many of the most challenging industrial, commercial, and marine applications incorporate extensive operator control interfaces via wired or wireless consoles, armrests, belly boxes, and pendants. Users need responsive multi-axis…

The new RT handle is an ergonomic grip offering a wide combination of pushbutton and Hall-effect thumbwheel combinations. Designed exclusively for APEM’s XD series joystick, the RT grip provides IP67 above panel sealing and is ideally suited for vehicle applications requiring dedicated right hand operation. Utilizing detailed “voice of the customer” studies, the RT handle…

Schmersal joystick selector switches have design features that make them suitable for food processing, pharmaceutical, and medical applications. The joysticks comply with the special cleaning requirements of the food industry to prevent cross-contamination, particularly when used in machines that process raw goods. The IP69K rating also makes the joysticks suitable for marine applications, traffic systems,…

In the world of motor boats, luxury has a name: Sunseeker. The manufacturer of luxury yachts has long been known worldwide — not least by appearing in spectacular James Bond scenes. In line with the exclusive requests of its customers, Sunseeker equipped its recently introduced 76 Yacht with Marex electronic remote control and joystick systems…

APEM, Inc. announces the XF series; a ruggedized finger operated joystick controller specifically engineered for vehicles applications.  This new joystick series is designed per the ISO 25197 standard, which establishes the requirements for design, construction and testing of electrical/electronic steering, shift and throttle and dynamic position control systems on marine watercraft up to 24m in…

Sager Electronics, a North American distributor of Interconnect, Power and Electromechanical components and provider of value-add solutions, today announced it’s been named OTTO’s 2018 Distributor of the Year. Sager was presented the award by OTTO at the 2019 EDS Leadership Summit held May 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada. “OTTO is delighted to recognize Sager Electronics…

RAFI is now offering heavy-duty joysticks for outdoor machines and other applications in which control components must meet demanding requirements. The platform concept enables a robust standard design base to be combined with customized multi-function joysticks. RAFI integrates buttons, rocker switches, thumb joysticks, rotary encoders, and LEDs as required. All RAFI JOYSCAPE joysticks have options…

Fluidity Technologies is working on creating a controller for drones with what it’s calling the FT Aviator. Better yet is that Scott Parazynski, a former NASA astronaut, is the one designing the new controller, according to New Atlas. Parazynski wants the controller to utilize advanced tools, yet still be intuitive for amateur drone controllers. The…

Nintendo is combining cardboard crafts and video games, a seemingly odd combination. After releasing two Nintendo Labo kits that allowed players to turn their Switch console into either a wearable robot suit, motorbike or a piano, Nintendo continued creating innovative ways to integrate cardboard. Now, the company has released the Nintendo Labo Vehicle Kit, which…

Ever dreamt of flying without flapping wings, airplanes, hand-gliders or wing suits — just soaring free over the landscape with arms outstretched like Superman? Thanks to virtual reality and advanced motion sensors, drone pilots can now experience something close to that imaginary sensation. Scientists, engineers and robotics experts at a Swiss university have developed a…

Imagine piloting a drone using the movements of your torso only and leaving your head free to look around, much like a bird. EPFL research has just shown that using your torso to pilot flying machines is indeed more immersive – and more effective – than using the long-established joystick. The results are published in…

Curtiss-Wright Industrial division has announced the launch of the JC1210, a single-axis paddle joystick that extends the company’s recently-introduced JC1200 family by incorporating latching and overpress functionalities and offering multiple mounting solutions in a single body. This makes the new joystick controller ideal for use in control panels and armrest assemblies found in material handling…

Single unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs) directed by joysticks, radio controllers, and mobile phones are already accomplishing a variety of useful tasks, such as aerial photography and security patrols. But using multiple drones requires multiple human operators, and this presents a coordination problem. Now a single operator using emerging human-brain interfaces can control a swarm of…

Curtiss-Wright Industrial division has announced the launch of the JC050, a Hall-effect thumbwheel roller that is suitable for integration within joystick hand-grips and other in-cab human-machine interfaces (HMI) in specialty off-highway vehicles. Designed by the Corporation’s brand family of Penny & Giles, the JC050 features a low under-panel depth of 23mm and return-to-center functionality over…

APEM has introduced the newest addition to its expanding industrial joystick line: the NV series. This new switch-based miniature joystick offers 4 directional outputs, plus a 5th center pushbutton option—providing a positive, tactile feedback in all directions for precise and secure fingertip control. The compact 16mm NV series is available with either a castle or conical […]

Mobile Hydraulic Tips

Checking email, tracking fitness, and listening to music, are just a few things that a smartwatch can do but what if your hands aren’t free (i.e. carrying groceries or holding a bus handle)? A Dartmouth-led team has come up with a solution by developing WristWhirl— a smartwatch prototype that uses the wrist wearing the watch as…

After 25 years of supplying OEMs with joysticks and integrating them into systems, Danfoss is launching its new JS1 platform of joysticks, led by the release of the…

Mobile Hydraulic Tips

AutomationDirect has added more pilot devices to their product offering. Fuji Electric’s 22mm devices include AR22-series pushbuttons, selector switches and joysticks, and DR22-series pilot lights and buzzers. The compact design occupies less space than traditional 22mm devices and is adjustable to any panel thickness up to 6mm. Devices are mountable in panel cutouts of up…

Bailey International, L.L.C. (“Bailey”) announces the acquisition of Sure Grip Controls, Inc., (“Sure Grip” or the “Company”) a manufacturer of joysticks, control grips and controllers for use on forestry,construction,…

Mobile Hydraulic Tips

ESA’s fifth Automated Transfer Vehicle is now scheduled for launch to the International Space Station at 23:44 GMT on 29 July (01:44 CEST 30 July) on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. View: Photos of the Day: Record Breaking Transfer Vehicle Set for Launch ATV-5 will deliver more than six…

Grayhill (LaGrange, IL) has introduced the compact Series 67B Joystick, a Hall-Effect joystick with a pushbutton and momentary knob rotation for additional interface options. The joystick travels 20 degrees in each X and Y direction as well as momentary rotation around the Z axis. Additional features include: A 32-mm diameter and 16-mm behind panel depth.…

Saelig Company (Fairport, NY) has introduced new Warrior Modules containing the complete electronics required for joystick, mouse or I/O functionality via USB. Based on the successful Warrior USB-interface ICs, these new boards accept analog inputs in the range of 0 to 5 V, are compatible with most joystick sensors, and also facilitate measurement, sensor, and…

Just as remotely-operated vehicles help humans explore the depths of the ocean from above, NASA has begun studying how a similar approach may one day help astronauts explore other worlds. On June 17 and July 26, NASA tested the Surface Telerobotics exploration concept, in which an astronaut in an orbiting spacecraft remotely operates a robot…

With modern communication aids, users of electric powered wheelchairs can operate a PC and cellphone without human assistance. A new module is set to transform electric powered wheelchairs into communication hubs. Writing text messages and e-mails, surfing the web, making phone calls – all these things can be a real challenge for people with disabilities.…

by Steve Meyer, Contributing Editor Mechatronic challenges come in some interesting packages. One such test, within the field of medicine, is finding an easier way to move hospital patients who cannot move themselves. In the past, patient transfer, as it is referred to in the healthcare industry, has been a mix of back boards, lifts,…