ForkLift

The challenge

Jared has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (a disease that causes rapid muscle deterioration). He is able to pick up food with a fork, but cannot lift up his arm to his mouth. This device helps his eat by himself!

Take a look: https://tinyurl.com/TOMJared

Who it helps

Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy who need help eating or lifting their arm for any other purpose

How it works

The device gives participants the ability to eat by themselves and not need caretakers to feed them. The participant merely clicks a easy-to-press button and the device lifts! This increases autonomy, confidence, and ease of care for the participant.

Our device allows individuals with disabilities to lift their arm with the click of a button. We created a 3D printed arm attachment that attaches securely to the arm and uses servos to lift it up to one's mouth. The user controls the movement with buttons

Tools needed

Protective glasses

Fusion 360

Screwdriver set

Pliers

FDM Printer

Voltmeter

Project details

• Stage: Prototype
• Built by the Yale University community, New Haven, United States of America
• Team: Jared
• Category: Daily Living, Hobbies
• 26 downloads

The build files for ForkLift are free to download from this page - open source, shared by TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers.

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