The ergonomic use and benefits of the XOOT system
The concepts shown below may NOT apply to your situation or physicality. They are provided as guidance for general use cases.
The most important ergonomic benefit of a XOOT system is not shown in the pictures below.
That benefit is, the easy movement of the screen. Changing the screen position requires only a light push or pull action, it’s simple and fast. This allows you to keep your body moving. Try not to work in a static position for extended periods. Moving the screen to different angles and locations allows for changing your movements and posture. The idea is to not wear yourself out by constantly working in the same position.
Background:
The XOOT system was designed to solve a problem known as “gorilla arm”. (The term dates to the early 1980’s with the first touch enabled PC, HP-150.)
Steve Jobs (Apple Co-Founder) summarized the problem below:
“Touch surfaces don’t want to be vertical. It gives great demo but after a short period of time, you start to fatigue and after an extended period of time, your arm wants to fall off. It doesn’t work, it’s ergonomically terrible.”
Solving this problem requires moving the screen to different modes.
Monitor Mode (Mouse and Keyboard Mode)
This mode is where the mouse and keyboard are the primary means of interacting with the computer.
(Green lines above indicate the active area of the screen should be at or below eye level)
The general idea is to set up your work environment to naturally aid with good body posture.
- Ears over your shoulders (no neck strain)
- Back is upright, or supported (no spine strain)
- Upper arms relaxed (no shoulder strain)
- Hands aligned with lower arms (no wrist strain)
- Feet are supported (legs are not pinched or strained)
A good reference for setting up a computer workstation for mouse and keyboard operation is the US government OSHA web pages.
Note, the default screen tilt with the XOOT system is 10 degrees.
Sample Drawing Modes
The screen position changes but the rules for good body posture (presented above) remain the same.
There are some inherent issues with putting a screen into a drawing mode. It requires moving the screen within easy reach of relaxed arms. This leads to looking down toward your hands.
Below we present some XOOT system drawing modes. We recommend you don’t work in static modes for long periods. Instead, move between modes frequently. Changing your body posture helps avoid overuse any single movement or position.
High Drawing Mode
The XOOT system set at high angle.
The keyboard is easily accessible under the screen.
The user’s back is upright. Their head is slightly tilted but the ears are still over the shoulders. Be aware shoulders and arms in this mode.
Simulate Mode:
Sit in front of a computer monitor with arms at an ergonomic typing position, reach your drawing hand toward the center of the screen. Stop when your hand is a little past the middle of the keyboard.
Desktop Mode
The XOOT system at desk level.
Support feet are folded down below the screen. (These feet may be used with high profile keyboards to ensure the back of the screen does not contact any keys on the keyboard.)
The user’s the head to tilted forward beyond the shoulders. Be aware of your neck and back in this mode.
Simulate Mode:
Sit in front of a computer monitor with arms at an ergonomic typing position, look towards your keyboard. Move your drawing hand to a few inches above the center of the keyboard.
Low Drawing Mode
The XOOT system pulled out and placed below desk level.
The user leans back and the chair supports their upper body weight. The head to tilted forward but because their back is reclined the ears are still over the shoulders.
Nice mode to rest of your lower back. However, your upper body cannot move around, use short arm movements. Be aware of shoulder, arm and wrist strain.
Simulate Mode:
Sit in front of a computer monitor with arms at an ergonomic typing position, lean back in your chair. Look toward the bottom of your keyboard. Move your drawing hand to a few inches above the bottom of the keyboard.
Standing Mode
Using the XOOT system when standing.
When using the XOOT System in a standing position adjust the desk height so that the screen is easily view-able without much neck tilt.
Keyboard Tray
Using the XOOT system with a keyboard tray.
The use of a keyboard tray may help with accessibility of the keyboard under the screen.
Change the Default Height
Every XOOT system has a block that goes between the base and the XOOT arm.
This block can be changed to tune the XOOT system for an individual’s preference. See Add-On for details.
XOOT system in picture is raised to allow for clearance over a MIDI keyboard.
