Device guide

Forest Joystick Mouse Hub

The Forest Hub gives you a solid starting point if you want to use an analog joystick and one or more assistive switches as a USB mouse or a gamepad.

Mouse modeGamepad modeUp to 4 switches3 setting slots

The red Forest Hub device showing the calibration button, mode button, and slot lights

What it is

The OpenAT Forest Joystick Mouse Hub, or Forest Hub for short, lets you connect an analog joystick and up to four assistive switches so they work like a USB mouse or a USB gamepad. One more assistive switch can be used to move between slots and to switch between mouse mode and gamepad mode.

It works with computers, tablets, mobile phones, and the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Pair it with an analog joystick such as the Oak Compact Joystick or the Spruce Mini Joystick, plus one or more assistive switches.

Who it helps

This is a key part of an access solution for people who find a normal mouse or game controller hard to use. It is especially helpful if you have limited finger or hand movement.

Ports on the back

SMMode switch port
USBUSB-C port
S1 to S4Assistive switch ports
I2CExpansion port
JJoystick port

Buttons and lights on top

Calibration button
Sets the joystick centre point
Output mode lights
Shows if you are in mouse or gamepad mode
Slot lights 1 to 3
Shows which settings slot is active
Mode button
Short press changes slot, long press changes mode

Diagram of the back of the Forest Hub with the mode switch port, USB port, four assistive switch ports, I2C port, and joystick port labelled — The back of the Hub. SM is the mode switch port, USB is the USB-C port, S1 to S4 are the assistive switch ports, and J is the joystick port.

Diagram of the top of the Forest Hub with the calibration button, output mode indicators, slot indicator lights, and mode button labelled — The top of the Hub. Calibration button on the left, mode lights in the middle, slot lights 1 to 3, and the mode button on the right.

How to set it up

1
Plug the analog joystick into the joystick port marked J.
2
Plug your assistive switches into the switch ports marked S1, S2, S3, and S4.
3
If you want one more switch for changing settings, plug it into the port marked SM.
4
Connect the USB-C cable to the Hub, then plug the other end into your computer, tablet, or phone.
5
Wait until the slot light turns on and the buzzer beeps. That tells you the mode and slot number. Then you can start moving the joystick.

Using mouse mode

Move the joystick and the cursor moves the same way. The assistive switches press the left mouse button, the middle mouse button, and the right mouse button.

Using gamepad mode

The joystick works as the gamepad joystick and each assistive switch works as a gamepad button.

Changing slots and modes

The Hub has three setting slots. A short press on the Mode button, or on the switch plugged into the SM port, moves you to the next slot. Hold that same button or switch down for a moment and it switches between mouse mode and gamepad mode.

Connecting to your device

Diagram showing assistive switches and an OpenAT joystick plugged into the Forest Hub, which connects by USB to a host device such as a PC or mobile — Switches and the joystick plug into the Hub. The Hub then plugs into your computer, tablet, or phone.

What it works with

Mouse mode: PC, Mac, Android phones, and iPhones running iOS 13 or newer.
Gamepad mode: PC and the Xbox Adaptive Controller.

Plugging into a computer

If you have the right cable, the Forest Hub plugs straight into a computer or laptop USB port and works in mouse or gamepad mode. The Hub side needs a USB-C plug. Most computers take either USB-A or USB-C on the other end.

Estimated cost

Around $51 to $100 CAD in parts.

Every one of these was printed, wired, and tested by students who just liked building things.

Questions about your Hub, or something not working right? Send us an email and a real person will get back to you.

projectmndx@gmail.com