May 21, 2015 | By Simon
Although we’ve no doubt seen how additive manufacturing has been a breakthrough for creating low cost and customizable prosthetic devices for both humans and their four-legged friend alike, when the technology is combined with various electronics and built with an open source mentality, the possibilities are seemingly endless.
Recently, additive manufacturing played a significant role in the development of a revolutionary new medical device that, rather than enabling somebody to move with more efficiency physically, is designed to help somebody move more efficiently verbally.
Built out of love for his own autistic brother, Dustin, Experience Designer Matt Reamer’s “Dustin’s Words” is an open source invention that helps people who can’t speak or communicate their needs with the push of a button.
After experiencing firsthand just how difficult it was for his brother Dustin, who can’t speak, Matt was inspired to build the device which allowed Dustin to push a button that automatically sent a text message to his mom when they were apart. Among other buttons on the multiple-button device, Dustin was able to communicate to his mother whether he had a headache, was hungry or he simply wanted to say “I love you”.
While the original invention proved to be an enormous success in his own household, Matt wanted to refine the design into something that would ultimately benefit other families as well - and if possible, with as little cost as possible.
"Dustin's Words is for people who can't speak and the family members, caregivers and teachers who help them every day," stated Reamer, co-founder of Solve For One. "We're also going to open source everything we do—from our code, to the 3-D models, to the platform itself, so that in addition to being able to purchase a preassembled device, anyone can print and assemble a device of their own."
So far, the team has been building off of Matt’s original prototype to turn Dustin’s Words into a scaleable product that can be 3D printed and assembled easily. After trialing multiple technologies, the team has decided to build off of Particle.io’s cloud-based platform that enables users of Dustin’s Words to be able to update the functions of the buttons using a variety of online services including IFTTT, Twilio, Node.js, PHP, Python, or Spark.js. According to Matt, Spark.js has been particularly useful, because it gives us the ability to customize messages, delivery methods (SMS, push notifications, Whatsapp, etc.) and track word and phrase usage on the front end.
Among other design features, the 3D printable Dustin’s Words will include:
- Large push buttons make it easy for anyone to use, and provide tactile feedback
- Icons are customized to the individual needs of the person using the device.
- The thick plastic cover keeps the components inside safe.
- Neopixels provide visual feedback for when texts have been sent and received.
- The mini USB connects the device to a power source.
- The Particle Board houses all of the code for the physical device.
- The PCB board electrically connects device components.
- Light from the neopixels shines through the logo providing additional visual feedback.
- The rubber feet help keep the device in place.
- The hard shell around the device keeps components safe.
Over the past few months, Matt has been developing the Dustin’s Words prototype with more advanced parts and technologies that can handle a range of people with different disabilities that make communication difficult. Among others, these include people with non-verbal autism, people with non-verbal learning disorders, people with ALS, people with Rett Syndrome, people who have suffered traumatic brain injury, stroke victims and anyone else with limited mobility.
“Our goal is to create an affordable, customizable, open source device and platform that families can use to meet their unique communication needs,” says Matt.
“Many families who already struggle with financial burdens due to health-related issues end up spending thousands of dollars on assistive communication tools. We want to offer an alternative—a communication tool that augments a family’s daily routine by providing an easy way to say the things that matter most.”
For anybody who has been paying attention to the recent advancements in prosthetic devices, the above quote might sound strikingly similar to the comparison between 3D printed prosthetics and those that are made by more traditional manufacturing methods and can costs upwards of tens of thousands of dollars.
Just like many of the 3D printed prosthetic devices we’ve seen, Matt wants to make his entire project open source for everybody to be able to have access to. This includes everything from the 3D model files that can be used to build the housing to the code and the platform itself. He has currently setup a Thingiverse page for the project, which will be updated as design changes occur. For those who aren’t able to create their own devices but are in need of the technology, Matt is also selling pre-assembled 3D printed devices that are ready-to-use.
To help raise awareness, Matt has launched an Indiegogo campaign for the device to coincide with May 21st - Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Through June 30th, he is hoping that supporters will be able to help fund the development, iteration and final build of Dustin’s Words so that he can put 100 devices into the hands of 100 families in need of them at absolutely no cost to them. These first 100 devices will not only be life changing for many of these families, but they will also serve as inspiration as Matt continues to further iterate on Dustin’s Words to make it the the penultimate affordable, open source, 3D printable tool for helping thousands be able to communicate with modern smart devices.
“Fundamentally making communication better won’t be achieved by a team in an office, but by passionate people around the world with a vested interest in helping the people they know and love to be better understood,” adds Matt.
“That’s exactly why we’re open sourcing everything we do with Dustin’s Words. From user testing, to device sketching and iteration, to application development – everything we do will be shared on open source platforms so that we can engage an impassioned global community. As we document our process, we invite you, our viewers, backers, and curious observers, to chime in with your ideas on how we can make this device better so that we can help more people not only be heard, but understood.”
Those interested in supporting the project or purchasing a unit can head over to the project’s Indiegogo campaign page.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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