MARBA - When You Need an Extra Hand
Donation protected
Hello! We are the 'Basement Engineers,' and we are in our fourth and final year of undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
For our capstone degree project, we decided to use our collective skills in design and innovation to conceptualize and create a piece of technology that addresses the social problem of physical disability. Specifically, our goal is to help the many individuals who suffer from mobility issues and constraints garner a new sense of independence, increase their self-confidence, and ultimately, improve their quality of life.
MARBA (motion activated robotic arm) is our team's solution to help people with mobility disabilities reach their full potential. Our robotic arm features motion activation, meaning users can control the arm without the use of a joystick. Additionally, we are designing multiple mounting systems so that the arm can be attached virtually anywhere. From grocery store shopping carts to personal wheelchairs, we want to ensure that our users are able to use MARBA whenever they need an extra hand. Our vision is to empower MARBA's users, and enable them to complete their day-to-day tasks with confidence and ease.
We have designed, and re-designed the wheelchair mounted MARBA multiple times, and we are finally at the fabrication stage of our project. However, as we are university students, we cannot afford the cost of this project on our own. Donations received through this GoFundMe will be used towards materials such as:
- Aluminum C-Channels
- Machining and Cutting Services
- Robotic Servos
- Wiring
- Programming Chips and Sensors
- ... and all the other small costs that add up way too quickly
Please help us bring MARBA to life! Our project will be a testimonial to everything we have learned throughout our education at Lakehead University. But, more than anything, we want the chance to showcase our technology and in the future, potentially help the 1 in 10 people who suffer from mobility restrictions. Any size or form of donation would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to help us in non-monetary ways (such as contacts or help with the post-fabrication programming phase of our project) please message us!
Thank you very much for all of your support.
Sincerely,
'The Basement Engineers'
Basement Engineering
For our capstone degree project, we decided to use our collective skills in design and innovation to conceptualize and create a piece of technology that addresses the social problem of physical disability. Specifically, our goal is to help the many individuals who suffer from mobility issues and constraints garner a new sense of independence, increase their self-confidence, and ultimately, improve their quality of life.
MARBA (motion activated robotic arm) is our team's solution to help people with mobility disabilities reach their full potential. Our robotic arm features motion activation, meaning users can control the arm without the use of a joystick. Additionally, we are designing multiple mounting systems so that the arm can be attached virtually anywhere. From grocery store shopping carts to personal wheelchairs, we want to ensure that our users are able to use MARBA whenever they need an extra hand. Our vision is to empower MARBA's users, and enable them to complete their day-to-day tasks with confidence and ease.
We have designed, and re-designed the wheelchair mounted MARBA multiple times, and we are finally at the fabrication stage of our project. However, as we are university students, we cannot afford the cost of this project on our own. Donations received through this GoFundMe will be used towards materials such as:
- Aluminum C-Channels
- Machining and Cutting Services
- Robotic Servos
- Wiring
- Programming Chips and Sensors
- ... and all the other small costs that add up way too quickly
Please help us bring MARBA to life! Our project will be a testimonial to everything we have learned throughout our education at Lakehead University. But, more than anything, we want the chance to showcase our technology and in the future, potentially help the 1 in 10 people who suffer from mobility restrictions. Any size or form of donation would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to help us in non-monetary ways (such as contacts or help with the post-fabrication programming phase of our project) please message us!
Thank you very much for all of your support.
Sincerely,
'The Basement Engineers'
Basement Engineering
Give $100 to help get this fundraiser to its goal
Organizer
Joy Santos
Organizer
Thunder Bay, ON
