Carry Crutches

thingiverse

Anyone who has had to walk on crutches can attest to the challenge of carrying things, including a simple cup. To overcome this everyday obstacle, Team Carry Crutches created a self-leveling cup holder that securely attaches to a crutch and holds beverages without spilling them. The team engineered a 3D-printed stabilizer inspired by aerial drones' camera gimbals, providing smooth motion control. The team designed two versions of the cup holder: a mechanical model requiring $15 in materials, which combines 3D-printed parts with ball bearings for effortless movement; and an electronic version featuring a Raspberry Pi, servo motors, and an accelerometer that costs $30 to build. Tomas Garces, design engineer at General Electric Firstbuild, emphasizes, "We understand that helping people perform the simplest tasks can significantly impact their lives." The Carry Crutches team worked closely with a member who required this device, informing every aspect of its design.