Skip To main content

Renzulli Learning

Menu
Renzulli Learning
Corten & Tomás: From the makerspace to the marketplace
Start Your Free Trial

Title-1



Corten Singer and Tomás Vega, self-proclaimed Makers and hardware hackers, had a wheelchair-bound friend Danny with low vision who they wanted to help become more independent. One of Danny’s major challenges was that he was unable to negotiate unfamiliar terrain. Even something as simple as uneven ground or a curb cut could prove deadly for him.

The duo, undergraduates at UC Berkeley at the time, spent most of their free time in the university’s makerspace, tinkering and printing a smart, nearly autonomous wheelchair system. When they decided he also needed a better control mechanism, they developed a sensitive mouth guard that would allow him to control this and almost any other device with the touch of his tongue. This MouthMouse is now the basis for their Bay Area startup Augmental Tech which employs five people developing technology for accessibility and sports medicine.

Inspired by Corten Singer and Tomás Vega, who used their skills to help a friend gain independence, we're going to explore how technology can be used to improve mobility and accessibility. What challenges do people with limited mobility face?

  1. Observe:Think about how you move around your environment. How do you know where you're going? What helps you navigate different terrains? Consider the challenges someone using a wheelchair might face.
  2. Brainstorm: List at least three different challenges related to mobility and accessibility. Choose one that you find most interesting.
  3. Design: Design a device or system that could improve mobility and independence for someone facing this challenge. Think about:
    • What specific problem does it address?
    • How does it work?
    • What materials would it be made from?
    • Who would benefit from your invention?
  4. Create (Optional): If possible, try to build a prototype of your invention using recycled materials, craft supplies, or anything else you can find. Even a simple model can help you visualize your idea. Consider how it might be controlled (e.g., with hands, voice, or even a mouth-controlled device like the MouthMouse).