EL4 at MEDICA

EL4 at the MEDICA as a project of the day of the university for health (hsg)

MEDICA in Düsseldorf is the largest medical trade fair in the world with more than 71 nations represented and more than 5200 stands. The EL4 project could present itself as the project of the day at the stand of the University of Health (hsg) and debate current developments in 3D printing with politicians such as the Committee for Work, Health and Social Affairs of the NRW Landtag.

Read More

Circuit boards for the interactive play “Sign Here”

The new production of the Berlin game-theatre collective machina eX enters a terrain that most people only enter involuntarily. A bureaucracy simulation full of incomprehensible signs, in which everything is recognizable, but still nothing is familiar. The audience gets involved and has to fight against regulations, paragraphs and special requirement declarations.  The only help through this world of signs is a reading device that is particularly good at mixing up letters and leaving out vowels.

This is where the FabLab of the Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences comes in.

The circuit boards that animate the machine behind “Sign Here” were assembled and baked here in a relaxed atmosphere.

Read More

Launch event “Embedded systems” – We start again!

Once again the event “Embedded Systems” started with about 70 registered students.

The aim of “Embedded Systems” is the development of electronic assistance systems for and together with people with disabilities.

On 1st of October the kick-off event took place. Prof. Dr. Michael Schäfer welcomed the students, project partners, guests, student assistants and scientific staff and gave a general overview of the embedded systems.

Kick-off event for “Embedded Systems”
Read More

REHACARE 2019 is over – a retroperspective

+++ Supplement: +++

The project manager of Emscher-Lippe-hoch-4, Lukas Hellwig, gave an interview to REHACARE employee Anne Hofmann about the goals of EL4. The whole interview (in ‘German) can be read on the REHACARE website:
FabLabs: Teaching digital skills and thus promoting participation

Last week our project Emscher-Lippe-hoch-4 was represented with a stand at the REHACARE trade – the international trade fair for rehabilitation and care.

Our stand shortly before the start of the fair in the morning
Read More

DruPro

Results from course “Embedded Systems”
Single project 17/17

Drupro is a feedback system that allows the user to imitate a feeling of the hand. DruPro is able to partially emulate pressure sensation and can be easily customized through a modular design.

The glove is only used as an example for this project and is optional for prosthesis users. The pressure sensors are glued to the back of the glove or prosthesis with double-sided adhesive tape or similar aids. The fingertip is glued to the front of the pressure sensor to enlarge the pressure point. The assembled circuit board is clicked into the board holder and then attached to the back of the glove or prosthesis with double-sided adhesive tape.

Read More

Intelligent socket

Results course “Embedded Systems”
Single project 16/17

The intelligent Power Socket is a device which allows severely handicapped persons to operate electronic devices easily. It resembles “Smart Home”-applications where all devices are controllable. Its use is simple and flexible for severely handicapped persons to make them feel more comfortable at home.

We call this technical process the intelligent socket as it is meant to improve the quality of life in living spaces and houses.

We focus on safety and efficient energy use based on interlinked and remote-controllable devices.

With the intelligent power socket, all devices at home can be switched on and off with the remote control with the touch of a button, which makes everyday life easier and saves trouble and energy.

Read More

Assistive ultrasonic distance measurement for wheelchairs

Results course “Embedded Systems
Single projekt 14/17

Distanzmessung für Rollstühle

The main system, a box with an Arduino, the power supply and a sensor, is placed under the foot rest of the wheelchair. It can be easily removed and replaced by means of circular hook-and-loop fasteners. All elements of the project are modular and are easy to attach, detach or replace. Additional sensors can be attached, the Arduino can be replaced and the power bank can be removed for charging or replacement.

The Arduino reads the values from the ultrasonic meter, calculates the distance and displays it on the LCD display. Additionally the RGB LED is lit in signal colors to visualize the danger of distance.

Read More