Cornell Tech Works with Roosevelt Island Seniors on Everyday Challenges
Cornell Tech's outreach within the Roosevelt Island community is extensive, starting with onsite technology teacher training at PS/IS 217 and continuing through active involvement with the Senior Center where they worked with participants to identify and create solutions for challenges specific to the elderly and physically challenged.
The idea was to come up with viable, easy-to-use products that make lives better.
"Seniors submitted real-life challenges prior to the course and each workshop group developed a product to tackle those issues," according Cornell Tech's spokesperson. "Some examples of the products designed include devices to help open doors and pill bottles called theStrap Wrench and a universal hinge for helping seniors using walkers easily hold grocery bags and other items."
Hoped for outcomes for all participants were...
- Learn in a diverse team-based environment to think creatively and integrate constructive feedback into your work
- Identify new fields or real-world problems and contexts that are worth investigating around digital fabrication
- Learn how digitally-enabled ideas can be developed into solutions with broader societal impact
- Learn about Design Thinking for physical prototyping
- Gain an ability to articulate how digital fabrication can help inform your own research
Examples:
Challenge # 1: How might we create a product which will help consumers remember everyday tasks?
This team went above and beyond. Paolina's troubles centered around forgetfulness, specifically about locking her door and remembering to take her keys with her when she went out. Her problems were worsened by difficulty in gripping the keys.
The team came up with a prototype tool, using molding clay. The tool, which has the key embedded at one end, adapts to the hand as needed without demanding fine dexterity.

A finished version from the prototype will be paired with a battery powered sensor near the door that will signal an alert any time the door is opened without a key nearby, preventing Paolina and others like her from leaving home without a way to get back in.
Challenge#3: How might we develop a product to help our consumers with limited strength/dexterity to use household products.
In this example, Betty "...has hand weakness, stiff joints, and overall limited hand mobility and dexterity. Her medication makes her thirsty so she drinks water throughout the day. She carries a water bottle that she struggles to open and says she visits restrooms 'early and often.' She worries about getting stuck, unable to open a stall door."
As the team saw it, what they needed to create was a portable device that served multiple purposes to compensate for an array of difficulties caused by Betty's hand weakness.
Because there are products already on the market to assist with opening jars, for example, the team began with research on what was available, assessing strengths and deficiencies.

They came up with an ingenious design involving a strap extended to make a loop through an easy to grip handle. The strap is easily tightened around any object by tugging gently on one end and is secured in place by a locking mechanism that prevents its slipping free once set.
The tool is adaptable to large and small objects. It's exceptionally useful in that, turned one way, it helps loosen a bottle cap while, flipped around, it tightens the same cap.
It can also be used to turn door knobs, and is small and lightweight enough for Betty to carry with her wherever she goes.
******
A crowd filled a second floor room in the Tata Innovation Center as the creative teams showed off these and several other inventions aimed at relieving difficulties associated with aging.
The greater story is of how widely separated generations bridged a gap to share insight and meet individual needs with solutions of universal value.
#CommissionsEarned
What We're Reading Now
- Out with the old, In with the new. We're retiring the legacy Roosevelt Island Daily
- Is There Proof of Life After Death?
- Susan Rosenthal Sues RIOC, Slams Cuomo and Negligent Board
- RIOC Provides Limited Shuttle Bus Services While Tram Elevator Is Out Of Service
- Rosevelt Island Shorts: RIVAA's New Group Show at the Octagon Gallery
- RETURNING, JANUARY 8TH: Free Food Pantry, Fridays, 546 Main Street, 4:00 to 6:30 P.M.
- Tear Down the Renwick Smallpox Hospital Ruins
- Roosevelt Island Coronavirus Infection Rates Rise. Still Less Than Half City Average
- Roosevelt Island Dine-In Restaurants Gear Up For Fall
- Why David Kramer Must Follow Susan Rosenthal Off Roosevelt Island
RI Daily Videos
- Video Shows Rosenthal Lying About Southpoint, Board Snuffing Discussion Updated 26 weeks ago
- In Video & Photos: A Salute To Coler/RIMC Health Care Workers Updated 37 weeks ago
- Kite Flight for Peace & Human Rights 2019 Video Updated 1 year ago
- Suicide Prevention Month Nears Conclusion
- Rosevelt Island Shorts: RIVAA's New Group Show at the Octagon Gallery Updated 2 years ago
Assorted Ideas Group
You’re fired, not with a bang but with a boot.
Khalil Bendib / OtherWords.org
The post You’re fired, not with a bang but with a boot. appeared first on Assorted Ideas, Large & Small.
The enduring allure of conspiracies
Reset Conspiracy theories seem to meet psychological needs and can be almost impossible to eradicate. One remedy: Keep them from taking root in the first place. By Greg Miller 1.14.2021 Assorted Ideas, Large & Small The United States of America was founded on a conspiracy theory. In the […]
The post The enduring allure of conspiracies appeared first on Assorted Ideas, Large & Small.
Inside the Capitol Riot: What the Parler Videos Reveal
ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. This story originally appeared in ProPublica. by Alec MacGillis/ProPublica The man’s smartphone camera pans the crowd on the east side of the U.S. Capitol. It’s smaller […]
The post Inside the Capitol Riot: What the Parler Videos Reveal appeared first on Assorted Ideas, Large & Small.
Coming Up/Don't Miss Events
- Ongoing, Until January 17th: RIVAA's "Looking To 2021" Updated 6 weeks ago
- Big Reuse Composting Returns Saturdays
- RETURNING, JANUARY 8TH: Free Food Pantry, Fridays, 546 Main Street, 4:00 to 6:30 P.M. Updated 4 weeks ago
- Foodtown, Daily, 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. Prioritized Shopping for Seniors/Immune Compromised
Weather Today
Get News, Subway & Tram Alerts Direct To Your Inbox
Roosevelt Island: Good Eats, Shopping
- Roosevelt Island Dine-In Restaurants Gear Up For Fall Updated 13 weeks ago
- Roosevelt Islander Brings New York's Best Bakery To Your Door Updated 32 weeks ago
- FRESH WEEKLY MENU: CAFE @ CORNELL TECH
- Food Review: Your World Bowls in the café @ Cornell Tech Updated 1 year ago
- It's Finally Time for Dinner at Nisi Updated 2 years ago