STEM II is the next installment within our Science and Technical Writing course here at MAMS. In this class, students follow the engineering design process to design, prototype, and build assistive devices for individuals or groups in the greater Worcester area. We learn to work in structured groups of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Technical Officer (CTO, that's me!), Chief Information Officer (CIO), and Chief Manufacturing Officer (CMO).
B.U.N.J.E.E
Caroline Walczak (CEO), Anthea Sun (CTO), Jianna Bixho (CIO), Thomas Giolas (CMO) Advisor: Dr. Kevin Crowthers. Special thanks to Jason DesMarais and Colleen Shaver.
People who commonly experience syncope/limited mobility often need to rely on others to stabilize them. If they faint, they might fall and injure themselves. Additionally, past aids such as benches are no longer as viable in the present, as both indoor and outdoor seating have decreased substantially following COVID-19. In open areas, surrounding assistance is fully unavailable, so the risk of fall-based damage from suddenly feeling faint/weak cannot be avoided. Many current designs for personal seating/support, like a cane or chair, are not easily portable, leading to potential accidents due to their inaccessibility.
To address this problem, the goal for our design is to create a cane that can contract to a transportable size, making it more accessible to bring around. We created an extendable cane that mimics the tensioned, spring-like design of tent poles, with modular segments and a wooden handle. Fully contracted, our device is 11 inches long and roughly 5 inches wide.
Design Study
Final Product
Commit To The Byte presents B.U.N.J.E.E., a cane for individuals that face situational walking-related mobility issues. B.U.N.J.E.E. is made with 6061 aluminium segments connected with 3D printed parts and a tensioned bunjee cord. Upon removal of the retention strap, the cane vertically folds to provide stable assistance. The cane is lightweight, easy to transport, and supportive of the user's weight. This device is deployed quickly and simply, allowing the user that may be in a moment of panic to have a ready mobility aid in seconds with the simple pull of a strap. The compression, light weight, activation, and hands-free aspects of the B.U.N.J.E.E. design all met the requirements, and even exceeded expectations.
STEM II Fair Poster