Joysticks

A joystick is a handheld input device featuring a stick that pivots on a base. It translates movement into directional signals to control devices. Joysticks can be analog, providing continuous input across axes, or digital, presenting discrete positions. They are used in computers, game consoles, simulators, and industrial remote-control systems.

Most joysticks use a gimbal or similar mounting. The stick's position along X and Y axes is detected by potentiometers, Hall-effect sensors, or optical encoders. Some include a third axis for rotation around the stick (twist). A centering mechanism—springs, magnets, or dampers—returns the stick toward center. Many have one or more pushbuttons on the handle or base, functioning as additional input signals. Some high-end models offer force feedback to simulate tactile response.

Variants include two-axis joysticks for simple games, four- or six-axis flight sticks, and specialized industrial remotes. Flight sticks and traditional joysticks differ from yokes used in aviation, but both serve similar control functions. Some devices are wireless or compact, combining trackballs or thumb joysticks as alternative input methods.

History: The joystick design matured in the 20th century, becoming widely adopted in arcade and home video games from the late 1970s onward. Technological advances—noncontact sensors, higher-resolution input, and force feedback—have expanded their capabilities and accuracy.