In recent years, scientists and inventors have been actively working to improve the living conditions of people with special needs, and in the age of technology revival, the blind, wheelchair users and other disabled people are not left behind. So, five new inventions for a better life for people with disabilities.
A special spoon for people with Parkinson's disease
With more than ten million people worldwide struggling with Parkinson's disease, one of the biggest challenges for people with Parkinson's is eating independently. Due to the disobedience of their hands, they often need the help of others. Anupa Pathak, the founder of LiftLab , thought about this very problem , who created a special spoon that helps 76% of the movement of the hand of a person diagnosed with Parkinson's.
A special computer is placed in the spoon, which uses an algorithm to sense the movement of a person's hand. It detects whether the movement is planned or unplanned and if it is unplanned, the device starts to move in the opposite direction of the hand, ultimately making it easier for a person with special needs to eat.
Due to the high price of the product, the LiftLab company donates to help those who cannot afford this spoon. Over the years, the company developed the product and added a fork.
The spoon can be purchased on Amazon and is priced at $199.
Electric car "Kangaroo"
For people using wheelchairs who want to be more independent and able to leave the house without problems, Stacey Zoern offers a special electric car - "Kangaroo" adapted for people with special needs. Work on the project began in two thousand years, and the refinement of the car continues to this day, it can be placed in the car very easily through the trunk. A car allows you to move around the city. It's also eco-friendly and requires a nine-hour charge to be safe on the streets. The car develops 40 kilometers per hour and is very easy to drive.
So, with not all public transport adapted for wheelchair users, Stacey's invention is certainly timely. The author of the idea notes that "Kangaroo" will be available for 2018-2019 for about 20-35 thousand US dollars. Hopefully, everyone will be able to purchase it in a few years.
Braille smartphone
According to the World Health Organization, 285 million people in the world have vision problems, of which 38 million are completely blind. That is why it is important to improve their living conditions. Until now, there were already special mobile phones and applications for blind people, but they were characterized by a lack of functions, that's why Sumit Dagar, with the support of donors, announced the world's first braille smartphone with a touch screen, which will make it easier for blind people to communicate with friends, family members and people around them.
It may soon be possible for a blind person to perceive a person's face by touch during a video call, along with video calls and text messages. With the help of a smartphone, it will be possible to read maps, play video games and read e-mails. At this stage, it is not known exactly when the smartphone will be sold, but the author of the idea hopes that the price will not be high and everyone will be able to buy it.
Deca bionic arm
Anyone who has seen Star Wars will remember Luke Skywalker and his amputated arm, the Deca Bionic Arm is named after Luke . DARPA started working on the prosthesis in 2006, and since then they have been actively working on its improvement and refinement almost every year.
It is known that it is planned to make prostheses of different sizes. It will combine many functions, it will be possible to use it even in rain and wind. The user will be able to use soft and fragile objects through the prosthesis - it will almost ideally replace the hand. The prosthesis will have an element that will be charged with electricity. With the help of a special mechanism, the user will move the prosthesis more naturally and intuitively.
The Deca bionic arm will appear on the market in the near future, the price will be high ($100,000), but with the development of technology, we should hope that one day it will be sold at an affordable price for everyone.
A belt that gives a signal during an epileptic attack
People with epilepsy are never immune from a sudden epileptic seizure. It is easier for an adult to deal with this than for children - children can be seriously injured by a sudden attack.
That is why the graduates of Rice University have created a new device , namely a belt that controls a person suffering from epilepsy. The belt is named SMART and after wearing it, it monitors changes in the human skin with sensors. During an epileptic attack, the device transmits signals to parents' computers or smartphones via Bluetooth and wireless Internet, after which it becomes easier to take the necessary measures and avoid unwanted consequences.
Although the belt will not fight the disease in any way, it will be the best tool for family members and friends of people with epilepsy. The belt will be available in the near future. Its price is up to 100 US dollars.