Embedded Files
With Carlo Soldi
The Problem & Project Overview
43% of adults prefer to read using a physical book. However, 4.04 million adult Americans also suffer from some sort of dexterity impairment, whether it be from disability or age. This leaves over 1.73 million adult Americans who prefer to read physical books but struggle to do so due to their impairments, such as in holding books open or flipping pages
Unfortunately, current solutions are either too expensive, not disability-friendly, or exclusively digital, and thus aren't true solutions to the problem
To solve this, my partner Carlo Soldi and I developed a device that could help those with dexterity impairments read physical books by largely automating the process. Our solution not only contains many disability-friendly features but also only costs $58.71 to create, making it both the cheapest and most effective solution for our target market.
This prototype was presented to a panel of engineers, where we were commended for our product's effectiveness and relevance to our target market.
Final Prototype Assembled
Select Questions Depicted, Full Data in Portfolio at Pg 19
Product Research
To investigate how impactful an Assistive Reading Device for Physical Books would be if it was introduced to the market, we first ran a mass-targeted survey using Google Forms. We targeted people who had a dexterity-impairment or knew someone who did and obtained 77 total responses. Our data showed that there was an overwhelming need for such a product among our audience.
Once we determined there was a need for such a device in the market, we then chose to learn about how current solutions work by running product research via patent and web search engines. We looked at several products, many of which were targeted towards musicians and either only worked with thin books or needed lots of setup, which is not ideal for someone with limited mobility.
Overall, current solutions are too expensive (>$2000), not size adjustable, not disability-friendly, or exclusively digital, none of which are ideal for our target market, and thus gave us some objectives we needed to hit in our product.
To aid us in creating our product, we also obtained the expertise of Dr. Kenneth Baird.
Pulled from Final Presentation, Full Data in Portfolio at Pg 14 and 18
Initial Brainstorming
Together, my partner and I came up with two initial brainstorms. To learn details of each, zoom in on the images or go to Pg 4 of our Portfolio.
We ultimately chose to create a design closer to Brainstorm 1 as it was simpler to create and less likely to break down. It also boasted better portability and its method for flipping singular pages was more reliable than Brainstorm 2, which could bunch pages together.
Brainstorm 1
Brainstorm 2
Prototype Design
Using Brainstorm 1 as our guide, we created our Final Prototype. We also added a Page-Holding Mechanism to ensure paperback books do not fold in on themselves.
The first thing we did was CAD model our design in Fusion 360. We also created schematics and a program for our circuitry using Arduino, which would automate the page-flipping process.
Internal Device Tinkercad Schematic
CAD Model Assembled, Extended
CAD Model Assembled, Collapsed
Simplified CAD Model of Internals
Final Prototype Assembled
Final Prototype Internal Circuitry
Final Prototype
After we designed our prototype using Fusion 360 and Tinkercad, we then set out to physically create our device. We used 3D printers, power tools, popsicle sticks, and several electronic components to assemble the system. Our final design uses Mounting Putty as the adhesive to lift the pages up as it stays sticky for a long period of time, although the demonstration video shown uses hockey tape due to an underperforming Servo Motor at the time.
Additionally, the total manufacturing cost was $58.71, making this both the cheapest and most effective solution for our target market!
Page flipping vid.MOVDemonstration of Prototype
Documentation
Here, I will attach all remaining relevant documentation. This includes our Final Presentation slides, which we used to show a panel of engineers our solution, our Comprehensive Portfolio, which contains all our product documentation, and our Material and Cost Breakdown, which we used to determine manufacturing and selling prices
Slides used in our presentation of the product. Contains videos of usage and features.
PDF Assistive Reading Device PLTW Portfolio.pdfComprehensive Portfolio
Material & Cost Breakdown
Google Sites
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