Individuals with physical impairments often need assistive devices to perform daily activities. Commercial reacher grippers can be difficult to use for individuals with reduced hand and wrist functionality. After evaluating these devices, a novel design was developed to decrease difficulties associated with using common grippers. The design features electro-mechanical actuation to minimize hand strength required to operate the device and a forearm support to alleviate stress on the user’s wrist. The actuated claws can close in under 1 second for fast grasping. The prototyped solution was tested for feedback and functionality by typical users with varying physical capabilities. Results indicated the device allows users to comfortably retrieve objects up to 4 pounds from 32 inches away.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Lesonsky, Matthew Isaac
• Alvord, Nathan Kendrick
• Standley, Reed McIntosh

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042816-104809

Advisor

• Ault, Holly Keyes
• Hoffman, Allen H.

Year

• 2016

Date created

• 2016-04-28

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2021-01-29