Over the past two Terms, a small group of Sixth Formers in the 3D Printing Club have been persevering on a project for Autodesk’s 2021 Make Able Competition. It is an event which challenges pupils to design and manufacture a product prototype that aims to improve the life of someone struggling with mobility.
Working almost entirely online, Safari, Claire, Build and Ellie started a team called “Prottle” to collaborate and design a pill bottle for those who suffer from hand tremors.
“We developed our ideas by empathising with Brenda from one of our case studies. Although it is evident that her tremors and early onset of osteoarthritis are a daily struggle, she is still able to pursue various interests such as writing and painting.
We wanted to create a product that would assist Brenda with difficult tasks, so that she can fully focus on enjoying her hobbies.
Our pill bottle was inspired by toothpick shakers you would generally find in Asian restaurants. To take medication, Brenda would need to gently shake the bottle until a pill comes out, much like how a toothpick would be shaken out of its container. This way, Brenda’s tremors would be used to her advantage.
This project was a valuable experience for us, particularly because opportunities for such team projects are rare during the pandemic. Through iterative design, our team has built resilience and problem-solving skills that will be useful in our future.
We would like to thank Mr Hope for his continued support throughout the competition and the generosity of John James Foundation for their scholarship which helped us develop the 3D Printing Club in the first place.
Now as one of the Finalists, we can only wait for winners to be announced in May! We hope that our product can be helpful to those with tremors, and that our team may serve as proof that enough teamwork and determination can overcome great distances, especially during these times.”
