Story: Industrial design

Lomak mouse and keyboard

Lomak mouse and keyboard

The light-operated mouse and keyboard (Lomak) allows physically disabled people to use a standard computer keyboard more easily. It is operated by a small headband-mounted or hand-held laser pointer. The Lomak concept was invented by Auckland electrician Mike Watling, who approached Chris Mulcare of Realize Technology to commercialise it. Peter Haythornthwaite led the industrial design team, with AUT and Callaghan Innovation providing technology expertise. Commercial production began in 2006 and about 500 were made. As well as winning the top prize at the 2005 Best Awards and gold at the 2007 International Design Excellence Awards, it was selected for the permanent design collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Unfortunately difficulty in finding funding to take the Lomak to market placed its distribution company in liquidation in 2009.

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How to cite this page:

Michael Smythe, 'Industrial design - Creating competitive advantage', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/41860/lomak-mouse-and-keyboard (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Michael Smythe, published 22 Oct 2014