Device Details

Overview

The Arm Cycle Gaming Interface or Xbox One Arm Cycle Controller is an exercise device that interfaces a commercial mini-exercise bicycle / arm cycle with an Xbox Adaptive Controller to provide an interactive fitness experience targeted towards users with spinal cord injuries.

A sensor is added to the Arm Cycle to measure the direction and speed of pedaling. The Arm Cycle is mounted in a frame that allows the Arm Cycle to tilt left and right, which a second sensor measures. The sensor signals are interpreted by the Xbox Adaptive Controller as joystick and trigger inputs, allowing the device to play racing games on compatible platforms (e.g., Xbox One Series consoles, Windows 10 PCs, and other devices compatible with the Xbox Adaptive Controller).

This device was designed for the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B0418 Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike, but it could be adapted for use with other similar arm cycles.

Usage

Place the adapted Arm Cycle and the Mechanical Adaptor frame onto a suitable surface like a table.

Connect the cables from the Arm Cycle Adaptive Controller to the corresponding input ports on the Xbox Adaptive Controller.

Connect the Xbox Adaptive Controller to the gaming platform.

Moving the pedals forward will emulate pressing the right trigger down on a controller, with greater speeds resulting in larger input. In most racing games, this would be mapped to acceleration, so that faster pedaling will result in greater acceleration of the vehicle.

Moving the pedals backwards will emulate a left trigger press, with greater speeds resulting in larger input. In most racing games this would be mapped to deceleration, resulting in brakes and eventually driving in reverse.

Moving and pivoting the Arm Cycle from right to left will emulate left stick X-axis movement. This is typically mapped to steering, so that tipping the Arm Cycle to the left will turn the vehicle to the left, and tipping the Arm Cycle to the right will turn the vehicle to the right.

Build Instructions

A detailed assembly and setup guide is available at the Instructables link.

The adapter for the existing arm cycle is made out of a mixture of 3D printed components and 80/20 aluminum extrusions, fasteners, and pivots.

Attribution

This device was designed as part of a UBC capstone project by five students: Nicholas Winship, Scott Beaulieu, Keith Consolacion, Edward Luo, and Fabian Lozano.