Jaime Arredondo, Steven Kowalski, Noha Halawani, Rui Min Chia
Individuals with reduced dexterity and motor coordination of the upper extremities often display poor eye hand coordination, increasing the difficulty of simple tasks such as drinking water. During our benchmarking process, our team identified drinking water independently as a major issue for people in power wheelchairs; typically depending on moderate to maximum assistance with this task. Our team aims to develop a rotating cup holder that will enable people with physical disabilities to independently drink water from a mug when and where they want to.
After some benchmarking, we found that the closest product available in the market was a mug with an extendable and fully adjustable straw which can be statically mounted in a wheelchair. Quench2Go includes this mug in the design but in a more dynamic system. Mounted in the back of a power wheelchair, Quench2Go is a rotating cup holder that swings the fully-adjustable straw into “Drinking Position” and “Driving Position,” assuring the driver’s field of view is not obstructed while driving. Giving power wheelchair users increased independence will not only increase their quality of life, but also their self-esteem. Having access to drinkable water when and where people it is a life necessity; bringing that ability to power wheelchair users will be a great impact in their life.