Sports Science in ZOWIE U2 Mouse Design

Helping professional esports players perform at their very best is the core value of the ZOWIE mouse brand. ZOWIE has integrated sports science into mouse development to enhance our understanding and interpretation of the correlation between players' hand movements while manipulating the mouse and the scientific data. We combine quantitative and qualitative data from sports science research to design esports mice based on players’ requirements.

Performance, Endurance, and Comfort are what matter most to esports players—these three are also the core design concepts of the ZOWIE mouse. Based on understanding players’ needs and our rigorous sports science research, we designed a mouse that meets those needs.
 

●   Performance

Performance is everything for gamers, so ZOWIE ensures our mouse designs assist in precise aiming and agile movement.

●   Endurance

Sports science allows us to develop mouse designs that reduce muscle fatigue.

●   Comfort

Players prefer correctly weighted mouse shapes matching their grip styles. As one type of mouse does not fit all, ZOWIE offers many options.

ZOWIE’s Human & Machine Innovation Lab analyzes muscle activities and joint motion by using electromyography (EMG) and motion capture to record, interpret and analyze player behavior in real time. We also perform in-depth analysis of the impact of different shape designs on hand movements. Variables such as finger angle, wrist angle, muscle activation and firing rate are important factors we use in evaluation. In addition to quantitative data, we also consider qualitative research. In the early development stage, we investigate the characteristics of different FPS games. In the product prototype testing stage, we collect qualitative data in the form of physical trials and interviews with high-level amateurs and pro players.

We found that the angle of the thumb affects muscle firing rate. A greater angle tends to result in a decrease of  frequency over time which indicates muscle fatigue. The left curve of ZOWIE’s U2 helps players grip it with a smaller thumb angle.. Therefore, the muscle firing rate is relatively stable and there is no noticeable sign of fatigue.

The angle of the ring finger affects the degree of force exerted on both sides of the hand. When the angle is larger, the discrepancy in force exerted on each side will also be larger, resulting in a greater chance of unilateral muscle soreness on one side. The U2’s right side curvature allows the ring finger to be held at a moderate angle, helping both sides of the hand exert a more balanced force where muscle force difference is less than 10%.

To enhance the claw-grip as well as multi-angle movements​, both sides of the U2 curve inwards to increase agility during multi-angle movements. Since side buttons are clicked more frequently in FPS games such as Fortnite and Apex, we experimented with the position and shape of the side buttons for easier thumb access. We also found that the thumb angle affects the index finger click speed. This chart shows the index finger click speed when the thumb angle is greater. The U2’s left side is designed to work with the mouse hump—the thumb angle is reduced which increases index finger clicking speed. 

Based on our deep understanding of the competitive needs of esports players, we use sports science research to objectively evaluate different design proposals. Due to the U2’s rigorous and objective sports science verification process, this mouse provides greater agility and increased endurance for those who need to move at multiple angles.

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