Do you make things, and have you got almost ten minutes to spare? If not, make the time because this video by [PrintLab] is chock-full of healthy and practical design tips. It’s about effective design of Assistive Technology, but the design concepts extend far beyond that scope.
It’s about making things that are not just functional tools, but objects that are genuinely desirable and meaningful to people’s lives. There are going to be constraints, but constraints aren’t limits on creativity. Heck, some of the best devices are fantastic in their simplicity, like this magnetic spoon.
One item that is particularly applicable in our community is something our own [Jenny List] has talked about: don’t fall into the engineer-saviour trap. The video makes a similar point in that it’s easy and natural to jump straight into your own ideas, but it’s critical not to make assumptions. What works in one’s head may not work in someone’s actual life. The best solutions start with a solid and thorough understanding of an issue, the constraints, and details of people’s real lives.
Another very good point is that designs don’t spring fully-formed from a workbench, so prototype freely using cardboard, models, 3D printing, or whatever else makes sense to you. Don’t be stingy with your prototyping! As long as you’re learning something each time, you’re on the right path.
And when a design is complete? It has the potential to help others, so share it! But sharing and opening your design isn’t just about putting the files online. It’s also about making it as easy as possible for others to recreate, integrate, or modify your work for their own needs. This may mean making clear documentation or guides, optimizing your design for ease of editing, and sharing the rationale behind your design choices to help others can build on your work effectively.
The whole video is excellent, and it’s embedded here just under the page break. Does designing assistive technology appeal to you? If so, then you may be interested in the Make:able challenge which challenges people to design and make a 3D printable product (or prototype) that improves the day-to-day life of someone with a disability, or the elderly. Be bold! You might truly help someone’s life.
A while ago I participated in the Aging Innovation Challenge. The prompt was to design assistive devices to help aging individuals remain in their homes for longer through self reliance.
Our device ended up winning. The best part? It was literally just a 3D printed piece of rubber. The user inserts their fork or spoon into it, giving them something easier to hold onto. No more bulky special flatware. We later expanded the design to accept toothbrushes, house keys, lipstick, etc. One lady even used it with her crochet hook.
In support of the article. Something doesn’t need to be complicated to be helpful.
The device is called the “GripM8” for those interested. Google yields results.
Could it be used for chess pieces? I don’t think enough pensioners are aware that with age their proficiency in chess decreases, but in online play it could once again be amplified with support from Stockfish engine.
Oh and before anyone critisizes me for cheating in chess and wishes me ban. It’s actually trivial to bypass. Start game (white) with f3 opening, play some normal moves to counter opponent pieces. When you start losing use Stockfish to rescue situation. Play normal again. When opponent becomes distracted use Stockfish to win. This way game analysis on server gets confused and cannot detect you for engine use.
My father is 76 now and he regularly pwns people on lichess this way (I taught him). No ban in last 2 years.
It’s not cricket.
Bizarre.
That’s a great concept. It just goes to show that the simplest designs always win in the long run. You see it in elderly care all the time, people making complex awful-to-operate robots to ‘care’ for people when human contact is still better (or hell, even a piece of 3D printed rubber!)