this is oncue, a modular keyboard with wearable haptic cuffs for people with parkinson’s

Modular keyboard with wearable cuffs that vibrate

Meet oncue, a couple of modular keyboards with wearable cuffs designed for people with Parkinson’s disease. Showcased during Milan Design Week 2025, designer Alessandra Galli has developed the device to aid the user’s motor challenges caused by tremors and bradykinesia. It includes two main parts: a compact keyboard split into two and a pair of wearable wrist cuffs. They use vibration and visual cues to help users while they type. The modular keyboard is in two halves to accommodate the position of the hands and arms. The keys are arranged in straight lines called an ortholinear layout, which can make it easier to move from one key to another with less finger strain.

When a user presses a key, the modular keyboard and wearable cuffs vibrate. This helps users stay in rhythm while typing, which can be difficult for people who experience tremors or slow movements, known as bradykinesia. If a finger stays on a key for too long, the vibration increases, a signal to lift the finger. The user can adjust the strength of the vibration depending on their preference. The modular keyboard with wearable cuffs also lights up when the user presses a key. Then, the installed AI system can also predict the next key that the user might press, letting it glow in advance so they know where to press. The system also learns and saves the typing habits of the user.

all images courtesy of Alessandra Galli

Customizable settings depending on the user’s needs

Designer Alessandra Galli hopes that with oncue, people with Parkinson’s disease are able to type fluidly and with less strain. The modular keyboards and wearable cuffs aim to reduce the shaking hands and slow hand movement of the users. They both vibrate to tell the users they’ve had their fingers on a key for too long. This also helps prevent ‘freezing,’ which is a symptom where movement suddenly stops. The users can wear the cuffs on different parts of the arm. Oncue also includes software that allows users to adjust vibration patterns and other settings.

Since Parkinson’s symptoms can change daily, users can customize the system to match what they need each day. They can use only the features they want, such as just the cuffs, just the lights, or both. Design-wise, the designer applies a bright orange palette for the case of the modular keyboards and a watch-like style for the wearable cuffs. For the keys, the gray color indicates the letters, while the dark blue is for the command buttons. The keys glow in yellow when they’re pressed, while they light up in green for the predictive text. So far, the designer has presented oncue during Milan Design Week 2025 and collaborated with the Parkinson’s Association in Treviso, Italy. As for the timeline of its rollout, there’s no news yet when the modular keyboards and wearable cuffs can be available.

meet oncue, modular keyboards with haptic cuffs designed for people with Parkinson’s disease

the modular keyboard is in two halves to accommodate the position of the hands and arms

the designer applies an orange color for modular keyboards and a watch-like look for the wearable cuffs

if a finger stays on a key for too long, the vibration increases

the keyboard lights up when the user presses a key

project info:

name: oncue 

design: Alessandra Galli | @alessandragalli_design

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