Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Category: General
Developer’s Showcase
Date and Time: Wednesday, July 10 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom via RESNA Learn
Dive into the future of assistive technology at RESNA’s Developer’s Showcase! Innovators and developers in the field of assistive technology will come together and present their latest creations that haven’t yet hit the market.
Take the opportunity to visit each virtual showcase room and learn about new products, products under development, and enhanced/redesigned products that are not yet on the market. This event features a variety of AT products including hardware, software, standards or guidelines, and instruments or tools.
Secure your spot by registering today and see what’s on the horizon in assistive technology!
Meet the 2024 Developers' Showcase participants:
Access Navigator - software to improve alternative access services
The RERC on AAC, including Koester Performance Research, Penn State University, Univ of Nebraska Medical Center
Access Navigator is a web-based app to guide access assessments. Practitioners will use Access Assistant when providing alternative access services to their clients who have significant physical disabilities. The goal is to improve the quality of assessments by leading teams through a repeatable, systematic, and comprehensive process for making evidence-based decisions about alternative input methods for computing devices.
Caster Tech: Freedom & Function
Austin Attaway, Caster Tech LLC
The Caster Tech Power Assist transforms manual wheelchairs with powered front casters, boosting mobility with a top speed of 5.5 mph and a 12-mile range per charge. Easy to install and universally compatible, it offers intuitive controls and robust terrain handling, reduces arm strain, and enhances independence without the hassle of frequent maintenance.
Mobility For Life and Progress - Mobility by "TWEEL casters"
Kevin P. Doyle and Bobbie Watts, Michelin North America
Problem: Whole Body Vibration
The discomfort associated with wheelchair use (both manual and power) particularly when riding over various indoor and outdoor surfaces has been well documented. Focus groups with power wheelchair users have identified several (10+) surfaces that they traverse that cause notable shock, vibration, pain, discomfort, numbness / apprehension.
The product / solution:
Tweel Caster could have a positive impact on a power wheelchair user’s comfort, health and mobility
Power-Flex Power Base Attachment
Troy D. Tesmer and Todd Hargroder, Soul Mobility, Inc.
The Power-Flex (PFX) is a revolutionary power base designed for active manual wheelchair users, seamlessly converting manual wheelchairs into power wheelchairs. The Power-Flex empowers wheelchair users to lead a hybrid lifestyle, allowing them the flexibility of pushing or switching to powered mobility on their terms. The PFX grows with the user, adapting to pediatric through adult wheelchairs and features a manual tilt function allowing users to alleviate pressure from sitting all day.
The Shu-Ez
Christopher M. Gaines and Mike Olliver
The Shu-Ez is an improved dressing aid designed specifically for individuals with musculoskeletal problems who may find it difficult, if not impossible, to put on and take off footwear.
Touch Conductive Mask
Jeffrey S. Davis, PhD, ATP
A touch conductive facemask for touch screen devices includes a nonconductive facemask body comprising breath- able material and having an inner surface facing a user when the facemask is worn and an outer surface facing away from the user. The facemask also includes a plurality of elastic straps coupled to the facemask body and configured to be placed around a head of the user. An electrically conductive material such as conductive stitching or a con- ductive coating proximate a center.
Haptic Hero
Richard He, Sebastian Almonte, Hasumi Tanemori, Emanuel Diaz, Kimberly Tsang, and Paul Leible, Stevens Institute of Technology
Our team designed a music & rhythm-based video game created to be accessible to students who are visually impaired. The design takes inspiration from the existing game, Guitar Hero, and flips it with an accessible spin. Instead of prioritizing visual cues for gameplay, the game is focused on tactile cues (haptics) and audio cues, making it universally accessible for everyone, regardless of their visual abilities.
A major issue that we tackled is the lack of accessibility within the gaming industry. Although the industry has made great strides in its implementation of accessibility features, the issue lies with products not being developed from the beginning with accessibility in mind. While there are plenty of opportunities for sighted students, students with visual impairments lack the same options for community-based connections through entertainment devices. Our product can change this by providing previously unavailable and limited entertainment opportunities to schools and homes.
MagnaStrap: a universal cuff requiring no fine motor skills for set-up
Marise Isaac, Rutgers University
Individuals with conditions like spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, or acquired brain injuries face fine motor impairments, impacting their ability to perform daily tasks independently. While the current universal cuff aids in holding items, it still demands fine motor skills for setup, limiting complete independence. To address this, a cuff utilizing magnets for quick item attachment and a new don/doff system without fine motor skills involvement is proposed. Stainless steel pieces on items attach magnetically to the cuff, simplifying usage, while a flexible, moldable material facilitates easy donning and doffing. The aim is for a one-size-fits-all design, compatible with commonly used household items.
MILO: A Voice-Controlled Robotic Arm to Enhance Independence for Patients with Quadriplegia
Meghna Sundaram, Rachel Nolander, Gabriella Desch-Obi, Eva Potjer, Marissa Walsh, David Wong, Nikhil Nayak, Nicholas DePaula, Northwestern University Medical Makers
Introducing MILO: a groundbreaking solution for quadriplegic patients, designed to enhance autonomy and control. With its adaptable features like a height-adjustable arm and interchangeable attachments, MILO empowers users to manage electronic devices and daily tasks independently. Through its intuitive voice recognition interface, users can seamlessly interact with MILO to access essentials like phones and tablets, as well as perform tasks like getting water. MILO represents a significant leap forward in assistive technology, promising to revolutionize rehabilitation settings by fostering autonomy, dignity, and inclusion. Our collaborative efforts and iterative design approach ensure MILO's potential to profoundly impact the lives of its users, promoting greater independence and overall well-being.
Sweep-It
Mariana Ospina Muriel, Matthew Kim, University of Pittsburgh
For people who use wheelchairs and have limited hand function, dropping small items can be a significant issue. In particular, flat and/or round objects such as credit cards, coins, or pens are among the most challenging items to pick up. Existing pickup tools and techniques are prohibitively expensive, simply ineffective, or dangerous. Most existing major disadvantage is that it cannot be used by someone methods rely on hand function to squeeze a trigger, but a with limited hand function. To make things worse, limited hand function makes it even more difficult to keep hold of small objects and avoid frequent drops. After developing a concept inspired from competitive landscape analysis, rigorous design and prototyping processes were used to develop the Sweep-It. The Sweep-It is an accessory attachment to the Hook-It, an existing grabber tool that is designed for people with limited hand function. The functional prototype was manufactured by FDM 3D printing.
Neuralis: Assistive Technology Designed to Restore Mobility and Independence for those with Severe Neuromuscular Conditions
Aryan Govil, Eric Yao - Synaptrix Labs, New York University - Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
Over 5.4 million Americans are living with neuromuscular conditions like paralysis, ALS, and muscular dystrophy. These individuals have lost their mobility and independence, resulting in a dependence on wheelchairs. Introducing Neuralis: a noninvasive neural interface that allows wheelchair movement solely through brain activity and eye movements – a first of its kind. With just three external electrodes, it provides users with comfort and full control. Targeting individuals with total limb loss due to ALS, spinal cord injuries, and muscular conditions, Neuralis is compatible with all wheelchair brands, ensuring accessibility and eliminating the need for a new specialized wheelchair. Our vision is to create a world where every individual, regardless of physical limitations, can live a fulfilling and autonomous life. This technology can help paralyzed individuals integrate back into their communities, pursue their passions, and reconnect with their sense of purpose.