myhand
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
Myhand is a solution for people with congenital malformations of a hand, to be further developed in the future. Myhand users are perfectly fine without a prosthesis, yet they feel like using a tool in particular situations, such as working in the office or doing some sports. Myhand is not a prosthesis. It is a set of tools. Our inspiration is not what is already there, but rather what could be there or what should be there from the users perspective. Myhand is all about the users.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Other Funds
WORTH Partnership Project 2019-2020 (2nd edition)
Gdynia Design Days (PPNT Gdynia) 2018
Description of the project
Summary
At the beginning of the collaboration, the “myhand” team met the mother of a boy that loves to cook. One day he came back home after a cooking workshop. His mother asked - how was it? He was excited and after a while he said “it would be useful to have something for separating a yolk”. While researching the topic of hand prostheses and experiences of people born with congenital malformations of a hand, the team found that each of them has a different, unique opinion on prostheses. Each one had in mind some other tool that could be useful from time to time.
Initial step of myhand project was to create, design and curate and exhibition on existing prosthetic solutions, from open-source 3d printed ones to a high end robotic prosthesis. This enabled the team to produce the very early myhand sketches, ideas and 3d printed prototypes.
The idea for myhand socket was born as a result of the exhibition.
myhand team developed a prosthetic socket in collaboration with 5 users. It’s generated automatically. Parametric software receives data from personalised 3d scan and creates a 3d form ready for printing.
The development of the prosthetic socket is a crucial step in myhand journey. It was possible thanks to Worth financing.
The three partners merged experience from diverse fields: parametric design, design for sports and design of wearables as well as knowledge on digital manufacturing. The project was possible only thanks to a merge of all of these experiences together.
The team have developed a prototype of a prosthetic socket. Other elements of the prosthetic hand remain to be developed. The direction the team is considering is to create a visual prosthetic, without a spectrum of movement first. As a next step various endings for particular functions such as working on a computer or practicing yoga may appear.
This further development requires additional funding.
Key objectives for sustainability
Our key objective is to work together with users on developing affordable solutions that meet real needs of people born with congenital malformations of a hand. In case of myhand project we consider sustainability as:
1) Focusing on specific needs of people with congenital malformations of a hand - in terms of function, ergonomy, style, emotions.
We have managed to discover new insights that show users’ needs that no products on the market respond to. For example aesthetic and functional needs - some users don’t need any prosthesis but rather nice looking and functional tools that help them in particular situations, such as working in the office or doing some sports.
2) Collaboration with users and inclusive design process - myhand experts (potential users) are part of the team and participate in the project development.
3) Sustainable design in terms of materials.
We carefully analyzed materials that could be used. We have checked recycling possibilities for various materials and how the Circular Economy approach could be completed when using several materials. As prosthetic sockets were developed to be 3d printed, our material possibilities are limited. We have realised that there is a niche in 3d printing circular materials and PLA seems to be the best solution so far. We are also following new 3d printing materials development, to be able to apply the best solution in the future.
Designing an exhibition we have done it implementing the Circular Design approach. An exbibition was designed the way that enabled us to use all the scenography as office furniture in our workshop. An exhibition took place in 2018 and until now we use this furniture in our office.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Myhand objective during the WORTH Parthership Project was to develop a parametric prostetic socket that could be used in the future in prosthetic-like tools for people with congenital malformations of a hand.
myhand aims to develop an affordable 3D printed palm system that will allow one to perform selected activities. The basis for the design is the assumption that “I use prosthesis whenever I want, it helps me as a tool, but it is my choice whether to use it or not”. The key to myhand solutions is to adapt to the needs of users through personalization.
The myhand aims to fill the gap between traditional prosthetics and fashion. The core values of myhand is availability, answering a social need and providing a solution to a problem based on learning from potential users.
Myhand team developed a prosthetic socket. It’s generated automatically. Parametric software receives data from personalised 3d scan and creates a 3d form ready for printing.
Key objectives for inclusion
Myhand is an inclusive project as it focuses on the needs of people with disabilities as well as thanks to the design process where users are treated as real experts in the field. Thanks to the exhibition we have organised, we have managed to show the users' insights to the public at the Gdynia Design Days festival.
Our team also conducted an interview with Association “Stowarzyszenie w Naszych Rękach” ("In Our Hands Association") for parents and guardians of children born with congenital malformations of a hand. The director, Ewa Fabisiak, provided the team with very valuable insights as well as plenty of touching stories.
We have invited 5 people with congenital malformations of a hand to help us develop a prosthetic socket for future applications in myhand prosthetic-like tools. They have become myhand experts and each of them has different needs and preferences.
Results in relation to category
The result of the WORTH Partnership Project stage of the project is a prosthetic socket that becomes a starting point for the next stages of the project. The result of myhand project allows us to develop products that fill the gap between traditional prosthetics and fashion. The core values of myhand is availability, answering a social need and providing a solution to a problem based on learning from potential users. We focus on users needs in terms of aesthetics, ergonomy and functionality.
How Citizens benefit
Myhand users - the results of the project will be applied in the development of products that influence accessibility of products and spaces for people with congenital malformations of a hand (such as accessibility of office, accessibility in sports and recreation etc.)
Myhand users-experts with congenital malformations of a hand - experience in the design process, participation in the events.
Wide public, including design students participating in some of the stages of the project - knowledge on the needs and insights of people with disabilities, encouraging social inclusion.
Design team and students participating in some of the stages of the project - experience in inclusive design process, know-how on the topic.
Innovative character
Applying new technologies combined with User Centered Design method. We have used 3d scanning, parametric design tools and 3d printing to develop and prototype a prosthetic socket and some of the experimental tools (for example 3d printed hand to help in office work).
Collaboration with users was crucial - we have designed according to contemporary design methods, such as Design Thinking and Used Centered Design. Myhand users were treated as experts in the field.
