Background
Many people have significant difficulty eating independently, due to motor deficits in the upper limbs, such as muscle spasms or tremors, in connection with diagnoses such as cerebral motor impairment, spinal cord injury or Parkinson’s disease.

Solution
The research team has developed a mechanical arm to assist movement during feeding. The arm attaches to the table with a suction cup. The user guides the mechanism via a handle, between the plate and his mouth. The mechanism amplifies the user’s movement and keeps the spoon always straight. In the end, the mechanical arm ensures that less force and less range of motion are required from the user to feed.

Valuation
This technology is in the pre-commercial improvement phase for commercial transfer.