The FABI (Flexible Assistive Button Interface) allows control of a computer’s mouse cursor or keyboard by just using momentary switches. This can be helpful for people who want to create user interactions with the press of a button - and it allows people who can't use standard computer input devices to play games, surf the internet, communicate and much more.
The FABI Interface can be actuated via dedicated buttons, momentary switches or self-made electrical contacts. Additionally, a sip-puff sensor can be used to create user input. FABI consists of a hardware module (a low-cost microcontroller which behaves as a computer mouse and/or keyboard) and a config manager software for configuration of the desired functions. The FABI system can be attached to computers, tablets or smart phones via USB. Additionally, a bluetooth-module is available for devices that do not have a USB port (some Android or iOS phones).
Essential information can be found in the following folders
- Case Designs: different 3d-printable / lasercut designs for enclosures
- Documentation: all user and construction manuals
- FabiGUI_C#: the (outdated) graphical user interface (for Windows)
- FabiWare: the microcontroller firmware
- hardware: the KiCad design files and models for schematics and PCB layout
- Settings: demo configurations which can be loaded into the FABI device via the GUI
The source of the current web based config manager can be found in another repository: source of web based config manager
The FABI system does not ony offer fixed mappings of buttons to functions - it allows storing multiple configuration settings and changing them "on-the-fly". For configuration the web-based config manager should be used. You can find information how to configure the individual button functions and system options in the user manual:
There are various options for building FABI-compatible switch interfaces: you can order parts and build our construction kit, or make a completely self-driven version. The most affordable version consists of just a microcontroller and attached momentary switches (material cost: a few bucks ...). The construction kit offers a PCB, LC-Display, Neopixel color led for indication of active configuration and optional modules (pressure sensor for sip/puff use, Bluetooth module for wireless access to phones/tablets etc.) Following documentation is available for these different approaches:
- Construction kit / PCB Version: for building the FABI PCB Version from the construction kit.
See Construction kit building guide - DIY Building Guide - "intermediate": guide for creating a FABI device with a bare microcontroller and the provided 3d-printed enclosures.
See English version of construction manual or German version of construction manual - DIY Building Guide - "all-selfmade": guide for creating a FABI device with a bare microcontroller and without the provided 3d-printed enclosures.
See DIY Building Guide
The FABI system consists of a firmware part which runs on the Arduino Pro Micro microcontroller. The firmware can be updated / uploaded directly from the Configuration Manager. Alternatively, you can build and upload the fimware using a recent version of the Arduino IDE. Besides the Arduino framework, the following libraries are used und must be installed before the firmware can be compiled:
- Light_WS2812 Neopixel library by cpldcpu
- SSD1306 Oled/LCD library by Lekus2k (used version: 1.8.2)
Please follow the installation instructions in the respective github repositories.
FABI supports the connection of an optional Bluetooth Module. The easiest way to use this module is to build the construction kit, because the PCB offers a dedicated 10-pin connector which fits the module. Pairing process and firmware update for the BT-module will be described in the user manual soon!
More examples are available in the wiki.
Most of the work for FABI has been accomplished at the UAS Technikum Wien in course of the R&D-projects ToRaDes (MA23 project 18-04) and WBT (MA23 project 26-02), which have been supported by the City of Vienna, see: ToRaDes Project Information, Webpage WBT project.
Have a look at the AsTeRICS Foundation homepage and our other Open Source AT projects:
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AsTeRICS: AsTeRICS framework homepage, AsTeRICS framework GitHub: The AsTeRICS framework provides a much higher flexibility for building assistive solutions. The FLipMouse is also AsTeRICS compatible, so it is possible to use the raw input data for a different assistive solution.
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FLipMouse: The FLipMouse controller: an open source alternative input device for controlling computers and mobile devices with minimal muscle movement.
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FLipPad: The FLipPad controller: a flexible touchpad for controlling computers and mobile devices with minimal muscle movement.
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AsTeRICS Grid: Asterics Grid AAC Web-App: an open source, cross plattform communicator / talker for Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Please support the development of FABI by donating to the AsTeRICS Foundation:
