Foot-operated controller for controlling a machine

A foot-operated controller for providing discrete inputs to a machine to be controlled, comprising:

• a base to be deposited on a receiving surface;
• a foot-receiving member for receiving a foot of a user, the foot-receiving member substantially extending within a plane and movably secured to the base according to at least one degree of freedom, the at least one degree of freedom comprising at least one of at least one rotational degree of freedom and at least one translational degree of freedom corresponding to a translation within the plane, the foot-receiving member being movable in at least two directions relative to the base;
• at least two switches each located at a different location between the base and the foot-receiving member and each activatable upon a corresponding motion of the foot-receiving member relative to the base in a corresponding one of the at least two directions;
• and
• a communication interface unit for connecting the foot-operated controller to the machine and transmitting to the machine a respective discrete command upon activation of any one of the at least two switches, the discrete command corresponding to a discrete input for the machine, the foot-operated controller being connectable to a power source for powering at least the at least two switches.