2nd Bhutan Makeathon Team4: EnableX

Created Date: 2025-02-11/ updated date: 2025-02-13
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    Summary
    We are developing an innovative device that will help those who have trouble gripping and holding their phones, especially those who have tremors or other mobility issues. Our gadget has a gimbal system that makes sure the phone stays steady and fixed in one place even if the user's hand isn't solid. As a result, users can have a more dependable and comfortable experience, which lowers frustration and improves accessibility.

    Memo

    Enable X-story. Day 1

    posted by SonamChogyal on February 12, 2025
    Our need knowers are both young individuals who are still schooling. Both have a medical diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy involving difficulties in fine motor coordination yet have access to alternative options such as the use of tech devices, phone, tabs and computer (typing).  We began by listening to the stories of our need knowers and their care-providers (parent/teacher) who shared with us the challenges they face when holding their phones due to weak grip strength or trembling hands. Through careful pretesting, we learned that for some, these difficulties went beyond mere inconvenience; they often resulted in broken phones and tablets. One need knower shared a heartbreaking experience of repeatedly breaking her devices due to her inability to securely hold them. This repeated damage not only caused frustration but also added a financial burden. The more we listened, the more we realized how much of an impact this issue was having on their daily lives. It wasn’t just about holding a phone, it was about staying connected, being able to communicate, being able to learn, being able to be include in the classroom and even using technology to navigate the world.   The need was now loud and clear. We came together as a team with a common goal in mind to discuss how we could address this. We discussed the possibility of a table stand device but decided that for both need knowers, the use of their other hand will have additional neuro-rehabilitative benefits. We discussed various designs, materials, and methods. After weighing our possibilities and potential challenges, we kept coming back to the one that seemed to have the most potential: a gadget that would assist holding the phone steady in the user's palm so it wouldn't slip or shake uncontrollably. Our final design is a compact, lightweight stabilizing device that makes use of a gimbal system. With the use of motors and sensors, the gimbal would actively stabilize the phone so that the user wouldn't have to worry about dropping it or losing their grasp even if their palm trembled. We presented our ideas at the evening forum and developed a second design of a fixed-design (without the gimbal system) in case we were unable to source the material needed to make this.

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