RoboCup is an assistive consuming gadget for individuals dwelling with cerebral palsy

One of many many realities of dwelling with cerebral palsy is proscribed higher physique dexterity, as virtually each exercise requires the assistance of a caregiver. That features one thing that almost all of us take with no consideration: consuming water. To revive a minimum of that little little bit of independence, Rice College engineering college students Thomas Kutcher and Rafe Neathery designed the RoboCup.

A typical resolution for letting individuals with cerebral palsy drink with out help is a “giraffe bottle.” That could be a water bottle with a protracted gooseneck straw that extends in entrance of the consumer’s mouth. However whereas that does give them the power to drink on their very own, it’s obtrusive and leaves a cumbersome straw in entrance of their face. RoboCup eliminates that situation by rotating the straw out of the best way when it isn’t in use. To take a drink, the consumer simply must push a button or transfer their finger over a sensor. The straw will then rotate again over to their mouth.

One of the best half is that RoboCup is open supply, so anybody with a 3D printer and a few primary talent with electronics can construct one for round $100. The important thing part is an Arduino Nano board. It screens the tactical button or distance sensor (whichever is suitable for the consumer’s functionality) and controls a servo motor that rotates the straw. Energy comes from a small rechargeable battery and the entire parts, except for the 3D-printed components, are off-the-shelf and available.

Extra particulars on the RoboCup together with directions can be found on the undertaking’s web page right here.