NASA Tech Briefs Create the Future Design Contest
Consumer Products Category Honorable Mentions


Adaptive Kayaking Fixtures for the Highly Disabled
Mark Theobald
High Seas Productions
Camarillo, CA

This series of adaptive kayak paddling aids is designed for people with
incomplete quadriplegia, who are often able to use certain muscles in their
arms, wrists, and hands. The device holds the paddle up for the kayaker and
keeps the paddle blades oriented in the vertical position. The paddle is
duct-taped to the fixture, and paddlers need only be able to push or pull to
successfully use them. Those lacking gripping ability are assisted with
gloves. The device can be attached to an unmodified rental kayak in one
minute. An adjustable, forward-mounted boom can be tipped forward during
boarding or exiting.  

Entry:
http://www.createthefuturecontest.com/pages/view/entriesdetail.html?entryID=1482

Photo:
http://www.techbriefs.com/images/stories/features/2009/NTB0409e.png

Outfitting a Kayak for Paddlers with a Disability
http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/Articles/DisabledKayaker/Profiles.html

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Moveable Braille Timepiece
David Chavez
Costa Mesa, CA

Current Braille timepieces only help the user orient the watch hands in
relation to the watch face, but can lead to an inaccurate time assessment.
Digital devices use sound to communicate the time, thus inhibiting the user
from checking their watch unnoticed. Haptica is a moveable Braille timepiece
that provides a quick and accurate time reading by displaying a real-time
readout in Braille using a military-time format. The wearer scans along the
Braille channel with their finger to check the time. 

Entry:
http://www.createthefuturecontest.com/pages/view/entriesdetail.html?entryID=1614

Photo:
http://www.techbriefs.com/images/stories/features/2009/NTBfeat0409f.png

David Chavez's Braille Watch Design Receives Spark Design Award
http://www.dexigner.com/product/news-g15930.html

Haptiva Braille Watch Concept
http://www.tuvie.com/haptica-braille-watch-concept

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From:
http://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/5056