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Computers

Ergonomic mouse tells you when to take a break

By Chris Wood
June 21, 2016
Ergonomic mouse tells you when to take a break
The thumb side of the mouse features an LED indicator that'll glow green, orange, or red to indicate whether you need a break
The thumb side of the mouse features an LED indicator that'll glow green, orange, or red to indicate whether you need a break
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The thumb side of the mouse features an LED indicator that'll glow green, orange, or red to indicate whether you need a break
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The thumb side of the mouse features an LED indicator that'll glow green, orange, or red to indicate whether you need a break
Sensitivity is adjustable, with 500, 1,000, 1,800 and 2,500 DPI options
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Sensitivity is adjustable, with 500, 1,000, 1,800 and 2,500 DPI options
The core concept of the mouse is simple, with an ergonomic design that changes the way you grip the device
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The core concept of the mouse is simple, with an ergonomic design that changes the way you grip the device
The idea is to make the user take regular short breaks from having their hand on the mouse, preventing them from fatiguing tendons and muscles in the wrist and arm
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The idea is to make the user take regular short breaks from having their hand on the mouse, preventing them from fatiguing tendons and muscles in the wrist and arm
Indiegogo pledges start at US$49
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Indiegogo pledges start at US$49
There are two buttons to the front, forward and back clickers on the side, and a scroll wheel in the center
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There are two buttons to the front, forward and back clickers on the side, and a scroll wheel in the center
View gallery - 6 images

If you use a mouse on a daily basis, you'll know that gripping the little device for all those hours can easily cause discomfort. A crowdfunding project is looking to help, aiming to bring a new ergonomic mouse to market, combining an upright, neutral gripping position with visual signals telling the user to take regular small breaks.

A glance at the R-Go Break tells you it's no ordinary mouse, sporting an upright design common to ergonomic input devices like the Evoluent Vertical Mouse we reviewed in 2013. Rather than have your arm twisted onto the desk as you would with a normal mouse, you grip the R-Go Break in a neutral position, not unlike you would a joystick. According to the company, this ensures that you move the device with your arm rather than your wrist, minimizing stress.

The core concept of the mouse is simple, with an ergonomic design that changes the way you grip the device
The core concept of the mouse is simple, with an ergonomic design that changes the way you grip the device

What makes the R-Go Break stand out from the grip mouse crowd is a design aimed at nipping bad habits in the bud. The thumb side of the mouse features an LED indicator that'll glow green, orange, or red, depending on whether you're "good to go," should take a break, or are long overdue for one.

The idea is to make the user take regular short breaks from having their hand on the mouse, preventing them from overloading tendons and muscles in the wrist and arm. Combined with the neutral gripping position, the team believes it could have a big positive health impact.

Of course, the R-Go Break is an input device at heart. A wired device, there are two buttons to the front, forward and back clickers on the side, and a scroll wheel in the center. Sensitivity is adjustable, with 500, 1,000, 1,800 and 2,500 DPI options available.

There are two buttons to the front, forward and back clickers on the side, and a scroll wheel in the center
There are two buttons to the front, forward and back clickers on the side, and a scroll wheel in the center

Currently, the device is only being offered in a design that's suitable for right-handed users. However, the company is considering a left-handed model should the initial release prove popular, tentatively slated for a 2017 launch.

The project has recently launched on Indiegogo, and is looking to raise US$20,000 over the next month to fund production. Pledges start at US$49, and assuming everything goes to plan, the company aims to ship early units in September this year.

Check out the video below for an overview of what the R-Go Break has to offer.

Sources: R-Go Break, Indiegogo

R-Go Break Ergonomic Mouse

View gallery - 6 images

Tags

ComputersMouseErgonomicIndiegogoCrowdfunding
1 comment
Chris Wood
Chris specializes in science and consumer technology for New Atlas, but also likes to dabble in the latest gaming gadgets. He has a degree in Politics and Ancient History from the University of Exeter, and lives in Gloucestershire, UK. In his spare time you might find him playing music, following a variety of sports or binge watching Game of Thrones.

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Koolski
This is almost a clone of the LuguLake ergonomic mouse. The LuguLake mouse doesn't have the break reminder, but also only costs $10. I find the LuguLake mouse so comfortable, I don't need the break -- and I am a software engineer, sitting at a computer for hours.