Thread by @sauramaia

#lca2019 @jonoxer open source superhumans

this makerspace in melb was set up by folks with duchenne muscular dystrophy, closer to home.

first item: a little space heater for hands. DMD bodies sometimes cannot shiver, become stiff, lose ability to control wheelchair.

@jonoxer #lca2019 @jonoxer nick & chris wanted better control of a $45,000 wheelchair, with minimal interference to its function.

solution: bluetooth controls sent to joystick via smartphone, without click & drag

@jonoxer #lca2019 @jonoxer
want: collaborative control of multiple devices

solution: a switch moves input signals from game controller device, to the wheelchair.

@jonoxer #lca2019 @jonoxer
nick died before some his work was completed.

chris and jon have continued working on wheelchair controls: buttons that allow turning pages, playing games, taking photos.

no you’re crying

@jonoxer #lca2019 @jonoxer the control system “has a few issues”: every couple of weeks, a carer would need to unscrew a battery case, replace the battery, not lose any of the tiny screws, screw it all back up - at whatever random time & place the battery fails

replacement parts: US$100s

@jonoxer #lca2019 @jonoxer
audience gasps at price reveal for a piece of foam

"it costs a lot of money to be disabled!”

@jonoxer #lca2019 @jonoxer
digital input options:
- new microsoft xbox game controller
- mini open adaptive controller

none of these are useful for people with hands that won’t unclench. need analogue inputs.

@jonoxer #lca2019 @jonoxer
transducers, electrodes on hand muscles pick up tiny movements. connecting them to 3D printing technology, 3D figure models, whatever.

superhouse.tv

“thank you. you have all built the OS tools that have allowed us to make this”

NO YOU’RE CRYING

@jonoxer #lca2019 @jonoxer
Q: advice for manufacturers?
A: interconnectivity, compatibility have improved with time, long way to go. APIS, please!