Control Complex Movements with One Hand

3D Joystick Control Complex Movements with One Hand

2025-04-30 By Megatron | Translated by AI 4 min Reading Time

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The electronics specialist Megatron is expanding its range of CAN-bus-enabled components with the Space Mouse Module. The 3D joystick enables intuitive control of complex movements in industrial environments.

The Space Mouse Module has more degrees of freedom than any other finger joystick on the market.(Image: Megatron Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG) — The Space Mouse Module has more degrees of freedom than any other finger joystick on the market.
(Image: Megatron Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG)

The CAN (Controller Area Network) bus system is frequently used in the industry as it offers a range of advantages. The serial interface not only provides high data transmission security but is also resistant to magnetic interference. Since many electronic components can be directly connected via the CAN bus, designers also require significantly fewer cables for their application.

This is precisely what engineers at an automotive supplier and IT experts aimed to achieve in 1981 with the development of the CAN bus system: they were looking for a solution to simplify the networking of control units in cars and save installation space. Over the past 40 years, the interface has spread throughout the entire industry: mechatronic components with CAN bus are now found in many areas of automation technology, plant engineering, and mobile machinery.

Gallery

Sewer inspection systems can be controlled with high precision using the SpaceMouse® Module.(Image: Kummert GmbH)

The Space Mouse Module from Megatron is suitable for the intuitive control of complex movements in space.(Image: Megatron Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG)

Also used for controlling patient tables in eye surgery: The TRY 100 finger joysticks from Megatron.(Image: Megatron Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG)

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This also applies to the products of Megatron: more and more encoders and joysticks from the electronics specialist feature a CANopen or CAN J1939 interface. A particular example is the Space Mouse Module: this 3D joystick was specifically developed for human-machine interaction in industrial environments. The Space Mouse Module differs significantly from conventional joysticks as it features an ergonomically optimized control knob with six degrees of freedom. With this innovative design, the operator can intuitively control even complex movements with just one hand. Previously, two separate control units were required for this, which not only needed more installation space but also limited the operator's flexibility.

Input Device with Special Capabilities

Similar to the CAN bus system, the Space Mouse Module also has an interesting backstory. In the 1970s, researchers at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) were searching for a suitable solution for controlling a robotic arm in Cartesian space. A six-axis force-torque sensor integrated into a sphere proved to be ideal for this task. The basic principle of today's 3D joystick was born.

It soon became apparent that the potential application range of 3D joysticks could be much larger. The reason was simple: for a long time, the selection of input devices was very limited. While simple joysticks can control quite complex sequences of movements, they cannot handle three translations and three rotations in space simultaneously. Touchscreens can start predefined sequences or enter short commands, but they cannot control complex movements because of the lack of haptic feedback. And trackballs have only two degrees of freedom. The Space Mouse Module combines the properties of all these input devices.

Industry is a Large Target Group

The success story of the module began in 1993—the same year a 3D joystick was first used to control a robotic arm in space. Within a few years, the Space Mouse Module became the standard control element for CAD programs and spread across the globe. To tap into new target groups, a cooperation partner with extensive experience in automation technology and medical technology was eventually sought.

The choice fell on Megatron Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG, as the company has been supplying industry with precise encoders and joysticks for more than 60 years. A special feature is the individual service: if needed, the mechatronics specialists customize almost any product in terms of function, design, as well as mechanical and electrical interfaces, starting from small quantities.

Wide Range of Applications

The Space Mouse Module complements Megatron's product range perfectly. The core of the 3D joystick is an optoelectronic sensor that operates contactlessly and thus wears out free. Unlike other sensor types, this technology is relatively insensitive to electromagnetic interference fields, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. The Space Mouse Module is also characterized by optimized spring strength, a durable surface material (ABS), as well as improved sealing and a dead zone. This ensures that the joystick operates reliably and precisely even under the harshest environmental conditions. Another advantage of the module is its compact design, which allows for easy integration into control panels, armrests, or desk enclosures. Besides the CANopen, a USB interface and a serial interface (UART) ensure easy connection to the application.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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The application areas of the Space Mouse Module include, among many others, sewer inspection devices, gyroscopically stabilized drones, turning centers, or instruments in assisted surgery. The high sensitivity of the 3D joystick pays off here: It responds even to the smallest movements of the finger or wrist, enabling highly precise operations.

Teach Robots Easily

The Space Mouse Module also provides valuable services in human-robot collaboration. Since automated processes can be taught intuitively and without programming knowledge, the 3D joystick is an ideal alternative for companies looking to further automate their production due to a shortage of skilled workers. With the Space Mouse Module, robots can not only be easily taught but also manually and precisely guided. This function is particularly helpful in the manufacturing and assembly of bulky or heavy components—such as the assembly of car roofs and doors. Another application area for the Space Mouse Module is the control of visualizations and simulations, which are used, for example, in medical and dental technology or in machining centers in manufacturing.

In addition to the 3D joystick, Megatron offers a variety of other CAN-bus-enabled products. These include the Heavy-Duty Finger Joystick 844 (CANopen/CAN J1939) with an installation depth of <0.79 inches, as well as the robust FHB58 encoder for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The Finger Joystick TRY100 also features CANopen and CAN J1939 and is used by medical technology manufacturers, for example, for controlling patient tables in eye surgery.