This Post Is Recently Updated on Oct 27, 2023 @ 7:34 am by TBB Desk
Excerpt
– 17-year-old Aarrav Anil from Bengaluru invents cost-effective smart spoon for individuals with tremors.
– Prototype undergoing trials at RV College of Physiotherapy in Bengaluru.
– Spoon’s sensors detect and counterbalance hand tremors, stabilizing the spoon.
– Design refinements include waterproofing, detachability for cleaning, and a deeper spoon for holding more food.
– Estimated cost of the spoon is around $80, targeting affordability in contrast to similar over-$200 products from the US.
– Trials and validation expected to conclude by early next year, with small-scale production aimed at hospitals initially.
Details
A 17-year-old robotics enthusiast from Bengaluru, India, has devised an economical smart spoon aimed at aiding individuals with shaky hands. Triggered by witnessing his uncle Arjun’s struggles with Parkinson’s disease during meal times, young Aarrav Anil embarked on this inventive journey.
In his solitary endeavor, armed with microcontrollers, sensors, motors, and a 3D printer, Aarrav created a prototype smart spoon. This innovation is currently under trial at the RV College of Physiotherapy in Bengaluru. The spoon’s sensors, powered by batteries, identify tremors on one end while initiating counter-movements on the other, effectively neutralizing the shakiness to stabilize the spoon.
Based on feedback from the trials, Aarrav has been refining the design to ensure it’s waterproof, detachable for easy cleaning or replacement with a fork, and has a deeper spoon to hold more food. His uncle also tested the spoon, suggesting a design modification for a better grip as the initial handle was too slippery.
Aarrav’s fascination with mechanics, ignited a decade ago with a Lego set gift from his mother, has now seen him representing India in over 20 global robotics competitions. His smart spoon design clinched the first prize in the future innovators category at the World Robot Olympiad in Germany last year, further motivating him to develop the prototype.
Although sourcing some tiny electronic components proved to be a challenge, needing to import them from China, his resolve remained unshaken. With over 7 million individuals afflicted with Parkinson’s disease in India, Aarrav’s affordable solution, estimated to cost around $80, stands in contrast to similar products from US companies priced over $200, which are beyond the reach of many Indians.
Post the anticipated conclusion of trials and validation by early next year, with findings to be shared in a medical journal, Aarrav aims to kickstart small-scale production, initially targeting hospitals. Balancing his academic commitments, Aarrav dedicates his spare time to this project, fueled by the aspiration of making the smart spoon accessible to every family grappling with Parkinson’s disease in India. His uncle Arjun’s reflective words, on how such a small invention could uphold one’s dignity, continually resonate with him, propelling him forward in this endeavor.
