Prosthetic arm to drive manual cars
Donation protected
Description updated to better explain where this project is heading.
First, I think it’s important to explain that I’m not a prosthetist. I earn a living as a mechanical design draftsman for Ampcontrol. However, I am an LAE (left above elbow) amputee and I have a bucket list of things I want to do. Hopefully some of my solutions to the challenges I meet could be of use to others.
This arm project started with an arm that allowed me to manually select gears in my automatic car. From there, it became a H-Pattern to sequential shifter to capitalise on my (then) limited strength and range of movement. Plan B sprouted after some exercise – this was a H-pattern shifter designed to suit my limits at the time.
It was about that time I committed head first to the project by purchasing a test vehicle. Big thanks to Keith Vayne at Liberty Finance for helping me with great finance.
I had a quote to fabricate the sequential shifter, as the 3D printed prototype tested well. I had started fabrication drawings for the Plan B shifter when I decided to “tie a stick to my arm”.
Oddly enough, the stick idea worked and we ended up with the arm we see now. I 3D printed and built a few of prototypes, kept Bunnings in business buying materials and eventually had Kynaston Engineering fabricate the hands components. The rest of the arm I built myself.
The arm only has one purpose, involves no robotics or modifications to the vehicle aside from changing the gear knob. The arm detaches to allow an able bodied user to drive the vehicle. There are safety features built into the arm so that it doesn’t become a hazard in an accident, or, tear off what’s left of my arm. The socket design is such that, if I need to abandon ship, I can.
The reason for the Gofundme is to get the arm, and myself, through testing. Originally, I was convinced I should patent the idea. However, I don’t believe that option suits this arm. Instead, I’ll be doing what I can to ensure the arm’s design/concept remains accessible to those who need, or want, to use it.
Testing of the arm will be done by Mobility Engineering in NSW. Queensland transport, though stunned an amputee would want to drive stick, only have a few requirements and the arm meets those.
I will have to be deemed competent by an Occupational therapist. This will involve a driving test, with the arm, and a few other physical checks. Once that’s out of the way, I can sit my practical driving exam with Queensland Transport. In the meantime I’m allowed to operate a vehicle with the arm when accompanied by a licensed driver.
As mentioned, this is an updated description. If you read through the updates you can see the progress and other information.
Again, thank you to all the supporters, and those who have donated. Watch for updates as I'm constantly developing the socket design, and, both a low budget version of the arm and a hand that will accept OEM gear levers.
First, I think it’s important to explain that I’m not a prosthetist. I earn a living as a mechanical design draftsman for Ampcontrol. However, I am an LAE (left above elbow) amputee and I have a bucket list of things I want to do. Hopefully some of my solutions to the challenges I meet could be of use to others.
This arm project started with an arm that allowed me to manually select gears in my automatic car. From there, it became a H-Pattern to sequential shifter to capitalise on my (then) limited strength and range of movement. Plan B sprouted after some exercise – this was a H-pattern shifter designed to suit my limits at the time.
It was about that time I committed head first to the project by purchasing a test vehicle. Big thanks to Keith Vayne at Liberty Finance for helping me with great finance.
I had a quote to fabricate the sequential shifter, as the 3D printed prototype tested well. I had started fabrication drawings for the Plan B shifter when I decided to “tie a stick to my arm”.
Oddly enough, the stick idea worked and we ended up with the arm we see now. I 3D printed and built a few of prototypes, kept Bunnings in business buying materials and eventually had Kynaston Engineering fabricate the hands components. The rest of the arm I built myself.
The arm only has one purpose, involves no robotics or modifications to the vehicle aside from changing the gear knob. The arm detaches to allow an able bodied user to drive the vehicle. There are safety features built into the arm so that it doesn’t become a hazard in an accident, or, tear off what’s left of my arm. The socket design is such that, if I need to abandon ship, I can.
The reason for the Gofundme is to get the arm, and myself, through testing. Originally, I was convinced I should patent the idea. However, I don’t believe that option suits this arm. Instead, I’ll be doing what I can to ensure the arm’s design/concept remains accessible to those who need, or want, to use it.
Testing of the arm will be done by Mobility Engineering in NSW. Queensland transport, though stunned an amputee would want to drive stick, only have a few requirements and the arm meets those.
I will have to be deemed competent by an Occupational therapist. This will involve a driving test, with the arm, and a few other physical checks. Once that’s out of the way, I can sit my practical driving exam with Queensland Transport. In the meantime I’m allowed to operate a vehicle with the arm when accompanied by a licensed driver.
As mentioned, this is an updated description. If you read through the updates you can see the progress and other information.
Again, thank you to all the supporters, and those who have donated. Watch for updates as I'm constantly developing the socket design, and, both a low budget version of the arm and a hand that will accept OEM gear levers.
Organizer
Shane Kapitzke
Organizer
Dolphin Heads, QLD