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- The choice of input signal - Able bodied users have no dearth of methods to activate a device using various motions of their fingers to push buttons, turn dials or move sliders. Our However, our customer has had a very limited set of feasible movements that have sufficient fine control and yet are not essential to hand positioningmotor control. Sharing the version 1 prototype with him allowed us to narrow down the thumb movement as the only feasible choice . Having of input for a mechatronic system. The thumb had very little physical strength, but it was still capable of fine control.
- Methods of attachment - Attaching a strap or brace onto our own hands may seem like a trivial, everyday task, but for our target customer, any operation that requires him to grip or adjust a strap is rather difficult. Interacting with him and observing his methods of handling other objects allowed us to design a device that was actually usable by him. All our velcro bands are designed to have rings at their end for him to put his thumb through and pull. The movements to put the device on and off are also designed to be done with minimal finger control.
Minor feedback like this was what made it possible for him to see and put on the final prototype for the first time during our public demonstration and beat an able student at a tug of war with minimal adjustment to the product. (Yes, and there is a video of it too.)
In Conclusion, the group is happy to have demonstrated a working prototype that was able to perform its function with its intended user, and we hope that, with minor adjustments, it will be possible to use it for solo sailing. A huge shoutout to Mr. Paul Horton for being an inspiration, a great customer and an absolute pleasure to work with! We also thank Dr. Deshpande and Taylor for the support and direction given, and we thank the rest of our class for the fun demonstrations and other cool products that we were able to see.
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