ATDF 2008

Casey Judge Dan Higgins

Mike Harradon David Muchene

Our Client Peter Morency Age 17 Junior at Lowell Catholic High School Suffered a stroke at just ten days old Has cerebral palsy Lost total motor control over the left

side of body

What is his main problem? Tying shoes

Has to wear special drawstring shoes

Cannot tie laces

Would love to be able to wear shoes he likes the looks of

Possible Solution #1 Light up shoes-

make his drawstring shoes more aesthetically pleasing with the addition of fun lights.

Problem- common product already on the market

Possible Solution #2 Radio shoes- make

ordinary shoes more fun with radio that turns on when one walks

Problem- very annoying

Possible Solution #3

Muscle Wire Shoes- Laces made with muscle wire and tighten when electric current sent through them. Hooks would hold shoe closed after contraction.

Pros and Cons (rated 1-5) 5=best 1=worst

Safety – 4 Long lasting- 3 (reusable yet might

need to be replaced over time) Original- 5 Helpful – 5 Size – 5 Affordable- 5 Possible to build?- 3

Possible Idea #4

Automatically zippering shoes- use a pully system zip and unzip shoes

Pros and Cons Safety- 5 Long lasting – 4 Original-5 Helpful – 5 Size – 2 (could get bulky) Affordable – 2 (may require lots of

parts) Possible to Build? - 3

Possible Solution #5 Hydraulic shoes-

hinged at the toe, and opens with hydraulics

Problem- Overly complicated, clunky.

Possible Solution #6

“Roll down Shoes”- shoes with tops that roll down

Problem- Unrealistic and difficult engineering

Possible Solution #7 Handheld Shoe Tying device –

utility that would tighten standard shoes

Problems- Device would need to be

carried around

Little added functionality

Possible Solution #8 Muscle wire

controlled zipper – Muscle wire would be attached to zipper and contracted to open or close it.

Pros and Cons Safety- 4 Long lasting – 3 Original-5 Helpful – 5 Size – 2 (may be large) Affordable – 2 (muscle wire is

expensive) Possible to Build? - 2

Possible Solution #9 Automatically velcroing

shoes – Muscle wire pulls velcro over to hold shoe closed

Problems-Does not fix attractiveness of shoe.Complex design

Possible Solution #10 Electromagnets hold shoe

together – Electromagnets on either side of the shoe are turned on to pull shoe tight

Problems-Very strong electromagnets would be neededWould require much battery power.

Final Conclusion Solution #3

Muscle wire pulls sides together

Hooks latch upon contact

Battery pack contained in heel

Activated by remote or emergency button on shoes. Hooks release upon repeated contraction of muscle wire.

Costs

Shoes $30

Sewing Hooks $5

Batteries $5

Muscle wire $40

Various electronics $10

Total $90

Thank you for your time!

Assistive Technology Design Fair 2008

Casey Judge, Dan Higgins, Mike Harradon, David Muchene