Thermouse

The Thermouse is an interactive computer mouse that heats on demand. The Thermouse is a Design Psychology project that attempts to subconsciously reduce the amount of stress and negative emotions that we encounter when we are online, reading emails and receiving feedback from colleagues, tutors, employers and clients. The aesthetic of the design is based on Thalma Lobel's psychology research into the stimulus of our surroundings. As 'our physical sensations, the texture and the temperature of the things we touch, the colours around us...influence our decisions, behaviors and emotions, without out our 'awareness'" (Thalma Lobel, P.H.D 2014). The soft cushion on the Thermouse adds both a slight warmth and comfort to the user, in contrast to the standard computer mouse, that is cold, hard and plastic.

Techniques and Tools

CAD Modelling

3D Printing

Hand Stitching

Heat conducting Electrical Circuit

The Thermouse is made from a mixture of digital and physical building processes. The base of the Thermouse is a 3D print that was designed to fit a standard wireless computer mouse inside of it. The mouse is covered by a layer of card that has heat conducting wire attached to it, with a thin layer of felt on top of it to add some squish to the mouse. The fabric was then stitched overtop and glued to the base.