Future Technology » Search Results » disabled people

Global Bathrom : All-in-One Bathroom for Universal User

TheFuture — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:38:06 +0000

Global Bathroom is an all-in-one bathroom concept that can serve you with all aspect. This concept comprises a four shelved wardrobe for storing cloths and others along with an on-top roller shaped cloth dryer that will prove highly helpful during cold and rainy weather. The right part includes another storage space for bath supplies like soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. The center part is the main bathing unit with a rooftop shower. The most amazing feature of this global bathroom is that it provides an easy and efficient way of taking bath for physically handicapped person who can bath while sitting on the attached chair.

Designer : Fatih Can Sarıöz

AngelWing : Acoustic Informer for Blind Pedestrians

TheFuture — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:25:10 +0000

People, who are disabled from vision, need an aid to foresee the roads and anything else that is lying in front. The AngelWing is one system that is designed specially for the blinds so that they can sense whatever is occurring within a particular range. The system consists of a set of Bluetooth device which includes a transmitter, earphone and sensor. The entire system is compact and hence extremely useful. The sensor looks like a white and red regular stick but it is much more efficient than the regular ones. The Bluetooth device is a tiny tool to be attached to the ears.

Designer : Ana Carolina Luciow Frossard

Transpiral is A Tramway with Spiral Structure

TheFuture — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:03:41 +0000

Spiral is a fascinating concept structure that can be compared with the nature and universe. The concept is to design a Tramway as a combined element leaving out-of-the-way the idea of interior and exterior. Integrating all the parts is the main intention, opening up in the way the inner side to the outer. This structure embraces the inner side with the outer, working as a unifying nexus. All the working elements of the interior emerge from this structure and the outer design is also dictated by it. Thus, the designer created a profound communication between all its elements. This vehicle gets the inspiration by the spiral because of not only what it symbolizes or its dynamism, but also due to the transmission sensations.

Flexible inner space
The seats are multifunctional; we can use them as a disabled seat area, as a bicycle area and also, during rush hour, we can pull them all back in order to use the inner space efficiently. The seats are made of a flexible material and they have a retractable mechanism that allows pulling them out and back in.

Public transportation should be an event
We have to forget that a public transportation vehicle is an object that transports us from point “A” to “B”. If we want it to compete with cars and put them away from big cities, it is necessary that public transportation become an event. The vehicle has to seduce people; it has to capture people’s attention. It has to be able to transmit emotions to its users. The tramway must project an image of itself and also from the city. It must become a symbol that projects the identity of the city and its inhabitants.

The Tramway is different from all other trains because it is a train that becomes part of the urban landscape; we will have to coexist with it every day. That’s why we have to care so much about the emotional and stylistic characteristics.

Designer : Rodolfo Ciudad Witzel

Tactile Music : Hear The Music by Feeling The Rhythm

TheFuture — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:22:01 +0000

People who are physically disabled are generally curious about the world especially to those factors which they are unable to access normally. Keeping this in mind a superb device has been created which can help the deaf to listen some music in a way they would understand. The Tactile music sports a classic white color that is soothing to the eyes. The box which plays the music is attached with a soft spiky white ball that pulses as the music plays. The deaf can feel the rhythm which gives them an idea about what music is. The orange battery cover makes this unique device even more attractive.

Designer : MadeByMakers

Transformable Wheelchair Concept by Caspar Schmitz

TheFuture — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:38:18 +0000

If you know some one who is using a wheelchair for survival then this product is for them. This wheelchair is made of an elastic as well as strong plastic, for example Polyurethane. The vehicle becomes adapted to contact face and the center of gravity to the situation. Through vertical pressure on the handle bar the round wheel converts to ellipsoid. As a result of which steps and barriers can be taken care of easily. It is a great invention of the wheelchair. This transformable wheel will surely abolish lots of barriers and assist disabled people to carry on their life easily.

Designer : Caspar Schmitz

SmartTravel – Future Automatic Public Transport System

TheFuture — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:14:46 +0000

Jaxon Douglas has designed SmartTravel, a futuristic transport system which can transport 12 people while taking minimum road space possible. This automatic transport has provision for four people to stand and wheelchair for the disabled. It is powered by battery, wherein the same is energized through ground by wireless energy system. Overall it ensures optimum utilization of space in the interiors, while still being spacious and classy. Thus there is a new twist age old notion of economy vs comfort!

Designer : Jaxon Douglass

Honda Walking Assist Device for The Elderly and Other People with Weakened Leg Muscles

TheFuture — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:02:59 +0000

Still remember about Honda robotic walking rehab? At that time, we didn’t have much detail information, but now Honda has made official statement regarding this robotic walking assist device. It’s great that Honda tries to extend its areas from cars and motorcycles, but so far we don’t jump in joy for their ASIMO Robot. But this…a robotic assist device for disabled individuals, now you’re talking…

Available in three sizes, the device uses brushless DC motors powered by lithium ion batteries that allow up to two hours of walking assistance per charge. Honda’s Fundamental Technology Research Center will be showcasing the device at the International Trade Fair on Barrier Free Equipments & Rehabilitation for the Elderly & the Disabled, which will be held at Intex Osaka, Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, 2008.

Honda walking assist device is much more compact than similar device such as : rewalk exoskeleton. If this device is working perfectly, not just us, there are going to be a lot of people jump in joy for Honda’s breakthrough.

From the website :
Honda began research of a walking assist device in 1999 with a goal to provide more people with the joy of mobility. Currently, the device has entered into the feasibility stage.

The cooperative control technology utilized for this device is a unique Honda innovation achieved through the cumulative study of human walking just as the research and development of technologies was conducted for Honda’s advanced humanoid robot, ASIMO. Applying cooperative control based on the information obtained from hip angle sensors, the motors provide optimal assistance based on a command from the control CPU. With this assist, the user’s stride will be lengthened compared to the user’s normal stride without the device and therefore the ease of walking is achieved.

The compact design of the device was achieved with flat brushless motors and a control system developed by Honda. In addition, a simple design to be worn with a belt around the hip and thigh was employed to help achieve overall weight as light as approximately 2.8kg. As a result, the device reduces the user’s load and can be fit to different body shapes.

Note : This device is designed for people who are still capable of walking on their own.

Designer : Honda via AutoBlog

HABILITY: Easyfood and Valcucine

TheFuture — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:23:19 +0000

Hability was born from the need to combine a careful analysis of the needs of the disabled with the creation of a kitchen that is not merely accessible but also aesthetically pleasant and accurate in every detail. The collaboration between architect Marco Miscioscia, a designer attentive to the world of the disabled, and Valcucine, a company that has made the philosophy of beauty its motto, has resulted in the creation of this industrial product that can be utilized just as well by people with no handicap as by the disabled, without the kitchen labeling the person as is often the case with similar projects.

Easy Food is a system in stainless steel for the kitchen, designed to reduce work during food preparation. It is extremely innovative in terms of ergonomics, safety and technical solutions and has been designed to be very accessible to the advantage of anyone using the kitchen. The stainless steel top has been made from a single mould. This technology avoids welding and built-in elements that would increase costs and imperfections.

Food is prepared, chopped, cooked and drained from the same workstation. All this without moving pots and pans. A self-cleaning system makes the water flow away from the user, conveying it directly to the service sink. The top can be fitted with dish-drainer racks and removable and transportable sinks.

This worktop has been completed by Valcucine by adding wall-hung units, corner units with accessories that are completely accessible even by someone on a wheelchair, and by the Libera hood in stainless steel and curved tempered glass that is perfect for any ergonomic solution and the top-notch of Valcucine design.

Designer : Marco Miscioscia via Dom ShowRooms via HomeTone

Overhead Projector Desk to Help Disabled Teachers

TheFuture — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:46:10 +0000

It’s quite difficult for disabled teachers to move freely when using overhead projector. That’s why Reinier Halbertsma and Sarah Hay came up with this overhead projector desk design. This was inspired by a disabled Professor who generously field-tested many prototypes. Users can switch easily between overhead slides, use the central grab rail for mobility, and it can be used in many configurations.

Designer : Reinier Halbertsma and Sarah Hay from Carleton University’s School of Industrial Design with Thomas Garvey as their advisor.

Pegasus WheelChair Concept

TheFuture — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:54:46 +0000

I really do hope pegasus wheelchair is going to be mass produced, it will help a lot of disabled people moving efficiently. Compared to manually operated wheelchairs, pegasus is trying to break the image of the old wheelchair by combining electric drive motor with gyroscopic sensors to help the driver to move not just forward and backward but also in an upright position. The problem left would be the balance issue, since this is still a concept, there is no detailed description on how this pegasus wheelchair will handle that.

Source : Porsche Design Studio