Monday 9 February 2009

I, Robot



I've just had a very interesting experience. A little while ago I was very disparaging about a device called the Neater Eater, a mechanism that spoon feeds disabled people food at the table. (I think I said I'd rather starve than use it.) However further investigation of the company's other products revealed a more promising prospect, the Neater Arm.

A motor drives an exo-skeletal arm which in turn supports a muscle weakened arm like mine. The idea of the device is that it is fixed to an electric wheelchair and thus powered by its battery. This afternoon a rep bought a demonstra4ion model for me to try. This one was free standing rather than attached to my chair but it gave me an idea of what it might enable me to do. For a start I could lift a mug from the table and raise a fork to my mouth, something I have been unable to do for a while.

I have attempted to attach a video of the trial to this post. It is about 90 seconds long, with no sound, but it is also at the limit of my technological know how, so apologies if it doesn't work. I made it so the OT would understand what I was talking about and why I want to raise £2,934 ($4,380) to pay for it. That's a lot of money, but when the alternative is to have someone spoon feed you, I think it's worth the effort.

My plan is to upgrade the motor so I can lift boulders or small cars to throw at baddies. Wheelchair Man will live at last! (Don't tell the OT, superhero funding comes out of another departmental budget.)

8 comments:

  1. Amazing!!! You do realise that the next stop is to be 'Iron Man'.

    Mate, is this something that you have to raise the funds for or is it something that might come out of an OT's budget???

    Didn't Worf have something similar on his legs in Next Generation....or is that a rather anorak observation.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's great! There are so many robotic accessories coming available now. I welcome our cyborg future!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have to show my Hubs this! Too cool!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stephen Harry Deal. Author. A man barely awake. Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability of building the world's first coffee fuelled man.

    Go Go gadget...!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Stephen

    ain't electronics fun!! Is so cool that you are able to enjoy a cup of java and a great dish by yourself. Eating is a basic need....so help doing it is a necessity....would pay for itself in a year because of less time needed by caregivers, better mental health for you because being able to care for self to a certain extent. Maybe you can get one of those "grants for the disabled" out there to pay for it and not have to repay it.

    God bless and here's praying money will come rolling in so can get the new "toy"

    Becky W

    ReplyDelete
  6. Only just watched vid and had to move it to get it to work must admit thyat then played so fork went in and out quickly! Made me laugh and so want to give you the money. Will gladly sponser anybody to get the money asap eg number of laps round the park on one battery charge. Love to all
    Rob

    ReplyDelete
  7. Interesting, to say the least. What is the approximate cost of that thing?

    ReplyDelete

Please take a moment to leave a comment. I read and appreciate them all. Thank You.