manipulandum

A manipulandum is a device or interface used in experimental settings that a participant actively manipulates to perform a task or to interact with a system. The term, derived from Latin, literally means “that which is to be manipulated.” In research contexts it refers to any physical object or apparatus through which motor actions are produced and measured.

Common forms of manipulanda include joysticks, levers, knobs, trackballs, pedals, or custom handles connected to sensors. These devices may provide force, position, velocity, or torque data, and can be passive or active, sometimes incorporating haptic feedback. Modern manipulanda are often equipped with position encoders, force sensors, and digital interfaces that integrate with software to record and analyze performance in real time.

Manipulanda are central in studies of motor control, perception–action coupling, and experimental psychology, as well as in rehabilitation and human–computer interaction research. They enable researchers to quantify response speed, accuracy, force production, and movement trajectories while controlling the stimulus being presented to the participant. For example, a participant might manipulate a joystick to move a cursor to targets on a screen, or exert precise grip force on a sensor to study force control.

The term is a descriptive, generic one used across disciplines, rather than a brand name. It emphasizes the role of the device as the manual means by which a participant interacts with an experimental task.