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My experience designing a mechanism to assist with preparing and cutting produce in the kitchen

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Project Role

Mission

Project Context

Subject Matter Expert

Develop an affordable, safe, and user-friendly kitchen tool that helps users like Kimberly who have visual and auditory impairment feel more independent and confident in the kitchen when it comes to food preparation.

Timeline: Feb, 2025 - Mar, 2025

Project Narrative

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Problem Statement: To assist Kimberly in managing her disability and empowering her to live her desired lifestyle by developing an assistive device that allows her to easily complete kitchen-oriented tasks. The device must be lightweight, user-friendly, and tailored to Kimberly’s individual needs.

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Brief Client Information:

Usher’s Syndrome
- Hearing and Vision loss (90%)
- Can see neon colours due to its “brightness”
Loves Cooking, however feels disconnected due to not having any independence in the kitchen
Limited sense of touch </aside>

Functions

Mechanism must guide blade
Store Food
Slice food

Constraints

Budget: $100
Less than 20 hrs print time

Project Objectives

Durable, Secure and lightweight
Kitchen Mechanism —> prevent sliding
Easy to clean and set-up
User-friendly / Accessible

Figure 1. Mechanism Image

Proposed Solution

An assistive tool tailored for safe food preparation

Securely attaches to a cutting board and features a Montessori cutting tool that moves in controlled vertical directions, minimizing accidental slips. A gravity-controlled blade guard ensures the blade is covered when not in use and safely exposes it during cutting, while a stable base with non-slip rubber stoppers keeps the device securely in place. Bright, high-contrast colors improve visibility.

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Design Features

High-Visibility Design: Bright Colours
Controlled Cutting Mechanism: Travels in a fixed vertical plane for safe and guided slicing
Lightweight and Modular: Freely change, replace or add parts to your liking.
Easy to feel around / tactile </aside>