Aids

Make any item grippy

willwade — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 09:19:21 +0000

I have a far longer article in the works regarding gadgets and gizmos but just thought I would share this one for starters. Im not sure this stuff is available in the UK (anyone??) but at first glance it looks amazing. Called "Plasti-Dip" it comes in a spray can and adds grip to practically any household object. Brilliant. Although it can't claim to turning a tool/utensil into a "oxo good grip" it certainly adds texture to an object that may increase friction. However reading some comments on this product suggests that it does tend to flake. Loctite Color Guard is a suggested alternative (although again, not sure about its availability in the UK) as is "pickup truck bed liner" whatever that is..?!

See this 5 page article on how to use it (via Make)

Web roundup for the week ending 11/09/05

willwade — Sun, 11 Sep 2005 20:13:25 +0100

To save all the numerous posts here is a quick roundup of OT-ish related stuff seen around the web over the past week (or so*)..

Audiosensor turns your table into an AV controller
"In our never-ending quest to find products that will allow us to use fewer and fewer muscles, we’ve come up with the Audiosensor from Tona Interactive. Set the device on a hard surface and it picks up your “acoustic audio signals” (i.e. tapping and rubbing) created by hand movements on the surface. It then translates those signals into remote control programming commands that adjust audio, video, and other electronic components for volume, channel, etc." crazy.

Backpack that generates its own electricity
I've seen a few clever backpacks around including those that are coming to market that have solar panels built in. This rather natty idea is perhaps a bit more useful to us British where sun is can be a little scanty (particularly during cricket matches it seems) Im wondering if technology like this may one day become a way of powering battery hungry (and heavy) e-aids

The Remedi-Hand
"Scientists have developed a new ultra-light limb that can mimic the movement in a real hand better than any currently available.....The new hand, called the 'Southampton Remedi-Hand', can be connected to muscles in the arm via a small processing unit and is controlled by small contractions of the muscles which move the wrist"

Exubera Inhaled Insulin
"Inhaled insulin called Exubera, could help diabetics who are reluctant to take injections"

Baby watcher
Although just a design idea at the moment, this device will hopefully "inform the caretaker about how much a child normally cries, it tells what to do when the child won't stop crying, and if shaken hard, it calls a doctor or parent using SMS."

fun way to fight fat
A rather funky but pricey way of exercising by linking a cycling machine up with a playstation xbox or net. What's wrong with a skipping rope?

Electrical Exercise System for Quadriplegics
"UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) reports that University of Glasgow engineers have devised an exercise system for quadriplegics, people who are paralyzed from the neck down"

Thudguard Baby Helmet
Seems an interesting idea to protect kids bonces.. Nice touch with the ears too :)

*I have been slack - I meant to post these individually as they came to me but I haven't had time.... so these are actually from the past month!

DIY designs for desks

willwade — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 21:21:46 +0100

The site appears to be written & designed quite poorly but the designs look quite intresting.
Of particular intrest is the In-Bed Computer Desks which lists two types, a wheeled and fixed version.
What is really good is that these are free if you are providing this equipment to people who are "Physically Challenged". Just fill in the form provided.

URL [via]: http://www.charm.net/~jriley/Challenged.html

The future of Rehab Engineering perhaps?

willwade — Sun, 17 Jul 2005 22:01:17 +0100

Here's an interesting look at a robot that can tie a knot. Now there's no way this could be used in its current state but with a little imagination you can see how such a device could be adapted to tie shoelaces, buttons etc..
The futures bright. The futures robots?!

URL: [via] Tie tying robot