- Coordination and Organization: coordinate the volunteer network
- Announcement: publicize the project and determine cases
- Documentation and Measurement: take measurements and photos of Robohand candidates
- Design: determine the optimal Robohand model and design modifications
- 3D Printing and Assembly: 3D print and assemble Robohand parts
- Delivery and Inspection: deliver and test the Robohand, make modifications if necessary
The goal of the organization is to provide people (mostly children) who suffer from finger and hand deformations with 3D printed prosthetics, in hopes of helping them integrate into society and making their daily lives easier. But the main target group that Robotel Türkiye focuses on is kids with developmental limb disorders stemming from ABS (Amniotic Band Syndrome).
According to Robotel Türkiye, “Children do not have access to prosthetics beacuse they develop very fast and they need to replace it constantly. Families and social security systems cannot afford this. Therefore, children do not get prosthetics until they are 18 and fully developed.
“Robotel Türkiye works with these children and their families together in order to help both physically and socially & emotionally in their daily life.”
These 3D printed prosthetics can help kids with daily tasks, like holding objects, swimming, and riding bikes; in addition, because they are 3D printed out of non-toxic, organic plastic and can come into contact with food, the prosthetics can also help kids eat.
However, most kids don’t like being thought of as different, and having a finger or hand disability, whether you were born with it or it occurred due to an accident later in life, definitely makes you different.
Karagöz told 3DPrint.com, “We are focusing on 3D design and 3D printing help these kids with their emotional and social state as well as their physical needs. So we are trying to design the hands with their favorite characters or colors.”
Robotel Türkiye has developed a plethora of fun 3D printed prosthetics, in hopes of easing the young recipients’ fears that different is wrong, or bad. Kids get to pick the colorful materials and design themes for their hands, which help provide social and emotional support as well as the ability to perform day-to-day tasks. Young Delfin received a pink prosthetic arm, with a Frozen theme and featuring Queen Elsa of Arendelle. In the above picture, Delfin is at her first breakfast with her new 3D printed prosthetic; Ece was also fitted with a custom Frozen prosthetic, featuring purple snowflakes. Robotel Türkiye prosthetic recipient Elif also has a pink arm, but the Robohand doesn’t feature any characters, just her favorite color.
Huseyin received a Robohand with a Captain America theme, while Yunus adapted very quickly to using his The Fast and the Furious movie series-themed prosthetic arm. Robotel Türkiye has also made 3D printed prosthetics with Spiderman and cat themes, and even one featuring Turkish cartoon character Canım Kardeşim.
“With these hands we aim to increase the life standards of these children. By giving them a tool to facilitate their daily routines and proving them with a joyful design to make them feel like exceptional; we aim to touch as many lives and hearts as possible,” said Robotel Türkiye.
You can check out the volunteer chapter’s YouTube channel to see more stories of kids in need who received some of these cool prosthetic arms. I expect we will hear a lot more about the creative, kid-friendly 3D printed prosthetics from Robotel Türkiye in the future; for now, take a look at Karagöz’s TedX talk in Istanbul (please note, the video is not in English):