Removable Mobile Arm

About this project

The solution is a removable mobile arm that is an adapted iPad communication device holder.

The challenge

The team at TOM:Technion is working on a few challenges: How can the iPad holder be improved so it is easy to clip in? The team adapted the holder as well as an extended arm so that the caregivers can easily attach the extended arm and Yaffa can have control of bringing the iPad closer with the click of her head on her mouse keys. Since Yaffa has a challenging time moving her head, how can she easily reach the icons on her iPad? The team designed a mouth held tapper for Yaffa to reach the icons! How can Yaffa use the iPad to do other things - like take photos and increase independence? The team designed a rotator that allows Yaffa to easily take photos and get a good angle.

Who it helps

When you meet Yaffa, the first thing you notice is her smile and her impeccable sense of style. Yaffa is in her late 40s and has severe Cerebral Palsy. Unfortunately, it is very hard for her to speak and it is challenging to understand what she is saying. She is equipped with an iPad based communication device to communicate with the people around. Debbie is an occupational therapist who works with Yaffa twice a week. She noticed that on days she was not at the Day Center, Yaffa was denied access to the device. After further investigation, she discovered that the caregivers found the set up extremely cumbersome and had long “given up” setting up the device for her.

Project details

• Stage: Concept
• Built by the Technion community, Haifa, Israel
• Team: Yaffa

An open-source assistive technology project shared free by TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers.

Related projects

• Removable Bag Organizational System
• Robotic Arm
• Mobile Device Holder Team
• Mobile Sensory Unit
• Mobile Phone Holder
• Arm Exoskeleton for Rehabilitation

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