PlayStation invests in gaming accessibility with Project Leonardo PS5 controller kit

When it comes to gaming, the ideal scenario is that everyone is able to enjoy whatever content they wish to in any way. As such, accessibility has been a key area that all platform makers are looking at. Microsoft already has its Xbox Adaptive Controller, and now, PlayStation and Sony are also introducing their own solution in the form of Project Leonardo, a PS5 controller kit.

Announced at CES 2023, the company shared more in a detailed blog post. Project Leonardo is “built to address common challenges faced by many players with limited motor control, including difficulty holding a controller for long periods, accurately pressing small clusters of buttons or triggers, or positioning thumbs and fingers optimally on a standard controller.”

Project Leonardo will be a robust kit of swappable components, including different analog stick caps and buttons in different shapes and sizes. Players can then use these components to craft a wide array of control layouts, with the distance of the analog stick from the gamepad being adjustable to suit the player’s preference. These components allow players to find a configuration that works for their strength, range of motion, and particular physical needs. 

To enhance the playing experience even more, software customisation in terms of button mapping and control profiles will also be possible. If you ever need to map two functions onto the same button, Project Leonardo will make that possible.

This control kit can be used as a standalone controller or paired with additional Project Leonardo or DualSense wireless controllers. Up to two Project Leonardo controllers and one DualSense wireless controller can be used together as a single virtual controller, allowing players to mix and match devices to fit their particular gameplay needs, or to play collaboratively with others.

The presence of four 3.5mm AUX ports helps support a variety of external switches and third-party accessibility accessories. This enables users to integrate switches, buttons or analog sticks with the Project Leonardo controller. Its split, symmetric design also enables players to reposition the analog sticks, with the controller lying flat without the need to be held,

“Project Leonardo is part of the PS5 product family and is based on the same design concept. We were inspired by the idea of all players enjoying the world of PlayStation together. Our team tested over a dozen designs with accessibility experts, looking for approaches that would help address key challenges to effective controller use.

''We finally settled on a ‘split controller’ design that allows near free-form left/right thumbstick repositionability, can be used without needing to be held, and features very flexible button and stick cap swapping,” said Sony Interactive Entertainment designer So Morimoto.

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“Because players can customize Project Leonardo according to their needs, there is no one ‘right’ form factor. We want to empower them to create their own configurations. The controller can also flexibly accept combinations of accessibility accessories to create a unique aesthetic. I am excited that the design will be completed through collaboration with players rather than presenting them with a single form factor.”

Project Leonardo is currently still in development, with PlayStation gathering valuable feedback from the community.

This article was first published in Geek Culture.