Engineering Good Newsletter: Assistive Tech Innovation

Engineering Good Newsletter

Welcome to our Engineering Good July newsletter! What a rollercoaster month it’s been, with Taylor Swift concert tickets flying off the shelves! Congratulations to all the Swifties who scored tickets, but it’s been a Cruel Summer for many of our staff who couldn’t secure theirs. Hang in there, Swifties!

At EG, we’ve been immersed in testing innovative prototypes and hosting insightful workshops with our partners and volunteers. Join us as we share stories of creativity, dedication, and community spirit that define our journey.

T4G 3rd Build Session

We explored the new MakeIT Lab in Tampines Regional Library, a haven for tinkerers to immerse themselves in!

Prototype Testing at MDAS by Engineering Good x UFL Interns

One of our University of Florida (UFL) teams tested their assistive photography device prototype for Muscular Dystrophy clients. A big thank you to Timothy for helping test the sturdy device mounted on a wheelchair handle, which also doubles as a self-defense tool!

Final Presentation by UFL Interns

After 8 weeks of intensive research, on-the-ground visits, and prototyping, the UFL interns concluded their internships with a final presentation, showcasing their hard work and innovation.

Farewell to UFL Interns

It was a bittersweet moment as we bid farewell to our dedicated interns from the University of Florida. They worked on two impactful projects—a shoulder rehabilitation device and an independent photography device for wheelchair users. We cherish the shared moments and wish them well back in Florida.

Deloitte x Engineering Good Corporate Workshop

We were thrilled to host our Deloitte friends, who learned valuable skills in laptop refurbishment and took home practical knowledge.

Singtel Corporate Workshop

A warm welcome to the volunteers from Singtel! We’re excited to meet new friends and guide them through our laptop Quality Control process.

Conclusion of 10 x 10 Challenge

Led by our volunteer Patrick Poh, every day has been a leg day for our EG staff and volunteers. From waking up early before sunrise to submitting a screenshot of their steps tracker, there were nearly 50 participants in the recent challenge. The top 5 finishers of each category received $100 each – they could also choose to donate their winnings to a charity of their choice!

Humans of Engineering Good

“I once became Iron Man—a cardboard one! Since young, I’ve had a love for tinkering and upcycling items I find in the garbage.

When my younger brother was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP) after birth, I saw my parents tirelessly care for him. I felt the urge to find ways to improve the situation, especially considering his intelligence and motivation in school. At home, I have a 3D printer for prototyping, which led to many wonders including a spike in my monthly electricity bills from $300 to $500.

To young tinkerers interested in product design, I encourage you to ask yourselves, ‘What can we do to help others?’ Your initial project may seem like a confusing squiggle but it will soon turn clear if you focus on your users’ interests. Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith and be open-minded.

Recently, I interned at Changi General Hospital’s Office of Innovation. Working alongside doctors and nurses, I helped patients with the tracheostomy procedure and improved the hospital’s systems for better usability. I did prototyping while seeking feedback from medical professionals.” – Kimmi, Student Volunteer (FYP project collab with EG)

Kimmi specialises in Product and Industrial Design. His Final Year Project focused on enhancing face-to-face communication for Hard-of-Hearing students in school. His innovative hearing aid, Konvei, provides speech-to-text interpretation and is one of the finalists for the Smart Nation Award 2023! Kimmi is on a quest to design solutions that benefit others, and he warmly welcomes the innovation of assistive devices! 😎🔧

Engineering Good Updates

Stay tuned for more updates on our projects and collaborations in future Engineering Good Newsletters!

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