Abler. Archive | re-blog

Marie Chouinard’s bODY_rEMIX/ gOLDBERG_vARIATIONS

Montreal’s Compagnie Marie Chouinard‘s 2005 work, bODY_rEMIX/gOLDBERG_vARIATIONS employs ten dancers who “execute variations on the exercise of freedom. Often, the dancers appear on points: on one, two, and even four at a time. In a spectroscopy of the gesture, we also see them using different devices – crutches, rope, prostheses, horizontal bars, and harnesses – [...]

Emotiv’s EPOC neuroheadset

Tan Le and the Emotiv group’s neuroheadset was recently demonstrated at TED; video below, and worth watching! The headset is a customizable device that reads commands via thoughts—stunning. The end of the video also shows its relevance for wheelchair users. Thanks, Jennifer Grant, for the link!

the Wiicane

The Wiicane by Touch Graphics: “a system for promoting proper use of the long cane in orientation and mobility training for young children and others. WiiCane uses Wii motion tracking technology to provide real-time feedback as users walk up and down a 30′ long indoor course. By practicing with WiiCane, some users may learn to [...]

the walklet

San Francisco’s REBAR group has a design that reclaims public recreation space from parking spots. Adaptation and accessibility written all over this: They call it a “modular public park.” via PSFK.

music for deaf “hearers”

This collar by German designer Frederik Podzuweit creates music for deaf people—through skin vibration. Apparently the transmission of electricity through the device to the neck, collarbone and shoulders creates a very rich experience of music—triggering the same parts of the brain, adapted for those who don’t hear with their ears—as those used for normative aural [...]

gesture-based computing

More gadgetry that wasn’t created as adaptive tech, but could be used to extend accessibility for motor-impairments. I think we’ve seen this idea in the movies; these prototype gloves look promising: “A pair of lycra gloves — with 20 irregularly shaped patches in 10 different colors — held in front of a webcam can generate [...]

the crutch pocket

This pocket from Crutch Buddies makes crutch use much more manageable. And it comes in so many colors! via Cool Tools.

physical touchscreen knobs

dsLabs is working on creating a richer experience with touchscreens, by adding physical-tool interfaces. These additions would make iPhones and iPads (and who knows what else?) significantly more accessible too: Physical Touchscreen Knob from adam kumpf on Vimeo.

$3 device speeds up healing process

via Inhabitat, this device uses negative pressure to suction air from open wounds, speeding up the healing process. This MIT researcher has distributed it in Haiti; she’s working on a pocket-size version and headed to Rwanda next.