Telescoping Low-Grip Robotic Reacher

The challenge

Our Need Knower would like to independently retrieve dropped items from the floor without having to rely on the utilization of her feet or waiting for her son to assist in order to retrieve items that have fallen on the floor.

Who it helps

Our Need Knower is a female diagnosed with muscular dystrophy who uses a wheelchair to navigate her environment. Her wrist drop and minimal grip strength make it nearly impossible for her to utilize a standard reacher.

How it works

This solution will allow our Need Knower to retrieve objects more independently without needing grip strength that she does not have and without relying on others or using unsafe maladaptive techniques.

We are offering a battery-operated, touch sensored, retractable robotic reacher with a mechanical claw and forearm splint that secures to facilitate remaining in place.

Tools needed

Heavy duty gloves

PC or MAC I7 +

Clamps

Pliers

Needle-nose pliers

Cutter

scissors

scissors

scissors

scissors

Electric Srewdriver

Hot air blower

Hot glue gun

FDM Printer

Stand

Soldering set

Cable stripper

Project details

• Stage: Prototype
• Built by the Widener University community, Chester, United States of America
• Team: Victoria Nedza
• Category: Daily Living
• 10 downloads

The build files for Telescoping Low-Grip Robotic Reacher are free to download from this page - open source, shared by TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers.

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• Painting Tool Grip
• Low strength buttom

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