ARM
Assistive Robotic Manipulator
ARM, pictured here holding a plant, can accept a wide variety of 3d-printed “attachments” for holding objects.
ARM, or "Assistive Robotic Manipulator," is a personal project addressing issues that emerge when individuals with severe mobility impairments are separated from their technologically-outfitted electric wheelchairs—for example, when such individuals are moved into a bed for the night. The arm provides an adjustable, low-cost strategy for holding a wide variety of objects (tablets, phones, joysticks, beverages) at custom positions within a six-foot radius above a stationary location.
ARM as an idea was originally conceived during a 2017 Enabletech Make-a-thon, but has since worked its way through a number of advancements and iterations, including Bluetooth operation and a water-jetted chassis. Next steps include: a firmware update for inverse kinematics, provisions for rotational control, and a simplified attachment quick-change system.
