#visualdiary4

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Visual Diary #4 - Prosthetics

There are so many kinds of prosthetics out there–and as a replacement for so many parts that it’s truly amazing. I read some stories and articles about how people who have prosthetics of any kind feel about them, and it was moving. 

How amazing it is that design has led those who have lost a leg, arm, foot, etc., to feel somewhat normal again. While they still have a constant reminder of their loss or if they were born without a part, they appreciate the design and technology of prosthetics and how it allows them to lead a more normal life. This is truly a service and it’s very important that it grows as an industry and hopefully can become more affordable for all. There has been a lot of recent research being done on designing a prosthetic that is just as effective, but much more affordable than some that are currently on the market. It’s important that we continue to develop this and be of service to those who appreciate the chance to live a more normal lifestyle of independency. 

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Visual diary #4 | Virtual reality

Visiting the doctor can be a nerve-racking event for adults. For children who regularly receive several shots, visiting the doctor can be a terrifying experience.

A group of researchers conducted an experiment where children wore a VR headset while receiving medical shots. Instead of experiencing the actual doctors visit, they were immersed in a different world. When the moment came for the doctor to administer the shot, the children thought they were getting nibbled on by a character in an alternate reality.

The results of this study are incredible. For children aged 6 to 17, a little over 94% of the participants experienced less pain and lower fear levels. This is purely a study at this point but does represent an opportunity for technology to make their way into different aspects of our medical system.

Source:

Roston, Brittany (2018, June 19). Virtual reality headsets make it easier to give kids shots. [Weblog post] Retrieved from: https://www.slashgear.com/virtual-reality-headsets-make-it-easier-to-give-kids-shots-19534737/ 

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Visual diary #4 | 3D Printed Homes

To help combat rising home prices and cost of ownership, the American startup ICON has created a service that is capable of 3D printing a home in under 24 hours.

The houses are constructed of concrete and are 650-square feet. The printers are easily to transport, brining the ability to quickly construct homes to countries all over the world.  

The printer uses readily accessible building materials that can be sourced from almost anywhere. It also durable, easy to transport, and requires very little additional labor. The ICON team sought to uncover issues that kept housing out of reach of people across the world and found simple solutions that could scale to help them over them.

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The second example I came up with for this visual diary entry is volunteer firefighters. In many rural areas, volunteer firefighters often serve as equals, working in their community day-to-day with their peers and when the time comes, as a firefighter to protect their community. These individuals undergo training and dedicate their time voluntarily to the fire department, creating a cooperative environment where they both work in and protect their community.

[akcadle]

The first example I thought of where someone helping another provides a service are mentorship programs. While mentorship programs are typically framed as experienced individuals helping those who are less experienced, they often foster mutually beneficial relationships. Mentors can gain fresh perspectives and insights from their mentees, leading to a symbiotic exchange of knowledge and support.

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Visual diary #4 | Be My Eyes

Be My Eyes is an iOS and Android application that helps blind and low vision people receive assistance from a network of on-demand volunteers.

When a blind or low vision user needs assistance with a task, they use their phone’s camera to show the volunteers what exactly they need help with.

The service is simple but very effective. It can be used to pair volunteers to help tackle tasks big and small. It is helping blind and low vision users live more independent lives by always connecting them with available volunteers. 

The main goal of Be My Eyes is to make the world more accessible for more people. By starting with the user in mind and looking for simple ways to improve their lives, the Be My Eyes team created a tool that empowers and frees blind and low vision people.