Talker mount

Talker mount - open-source assistive technology product by the Ingolstadt community

About this project

The talker mount is a mechanism that can fold the talker under

the table. This mechanism is driven by a stepper motor and

is based on Arduino.

If the user needs the talker outside of the wheelchair, the

talker can be easily disassembled from the mechanism.

The challenge

Franziska is 20 years old and has a spastic cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement

and muscle tone or posture. It's caused by damage that

occurs to the immature, developing brain, most often before

birth.

Franziska has an electric wheelchair and a talker. She can't operate the talker and the wheelchair at the same time as her field of view is blocked, and the access to the chair's control panel is limited while the talker is open.

In addition, Franziska can't tilt the talker by herself or change its position in any way. Help is always needed, and she has to choose whether she wants to drive or use the talker.

To become more independent, Franziska is looking for a solution to tilt and move the mount by herself and store the talker under the wheelchair table, where it does not affect her vision or the use of the wheelchair.

Who it helps

The talker mount is a mechanism that can fold the talker under

the table.

How it works

The Talker mount is the winner of the 2021 Global Innovation Challenge.

You can learn more about the challenge on the GIC website or browse the projects on the GIC community page .

Franziska is 20 years old and has a spastic cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture. It's caused by damage that occurs to the immature, developing brain, most often before birth.

She needs a talker for communication and a wheelchair. Her hand motor skills are very limited and her arm muscles and joints are very stiff. Anyway, she manages to control the wheelchair and the talker almost with the back of her hand.

She needs a talker for communication and a wheelchair. Her hand motor skills are very limited and her arm muscles and joints are very stiff. Anyway, she manages to control the wheelchair and the talker almost with the back of her hand.

We developed a mechanism that can fold the talker under the table. This mechanism is driven by a stepper motor and is based on arduino.

If Franziska needs the talker outside of the wheelchair, the talker can be easily disassembled from the mechanism.

Product story

The talker mount was designed with and for Franziska Schilling , who wanted to control her wheelchair and her talker independently without the need to ask for other people's help.

The team from TOM: Ingolstadt community developed the solution as part of the TOM Global Innovation Challenge (which they won 👏) and was led by:

Jaume Sanchez - Engineer

Oscar Alvarez - Software developer

Tobias Lengemann - Therapist

Product Specs

Approximate Cost of materials: USD $120

Machine time: 100 hours

Assembly time: 4 hours

To build this product, simply download the product file which contains assembly instructions, bill of materials, parts files, and helpful videos. Please take adequate safety precautions when using manufacturing equipment. You can also press the CHOOSE A MAKERSPACE button to connect with makers to build the product for you.

For any questions regarding the assembly, operation or specifications of this device, please contact the TOM:Ingolstadt community page .

To follow updates on the talker mount, other assistive tech solutions by TOM communities and our global network of makers, follow us on social media here .

Project details

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

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