Innovation of the week: A robotic dinner plate for people with disabilities

A device that allows some disabled people eat more independently.

(Image credit: Courtesy image)

published 7 August 2016

"A robotic dinner plate with a human-like arm is revolutionizing the lives of the differently abled," said Ananya Bhattacharya at Quartz. Obi is a sleek white robot that makes it possible for people with impaired movement to feed themselves. The $4,500 device includes a rotating serving dish with four compartments for different foods, as well as a robotic-arm fitted with a spoon.

A caregiver teaches Obi where to deliver the food by moving its robotic arm. "After that, the robot is able to replicate the process," with users able to toggle between the different compartments and tell the arm when to feed. "I realized there were millions of people who were extremely unhappy and frustrated with being fed or force-fed by others," said Jon Dekar, who designed Obi while studying at the University of Dayton.

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