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I am Daniel, a product designer based in Palo Alto
My passion is building prosthetic devices that augment human performance. I use a variety of techniques including soft robotics and 3D printing and moulding along with traditional CNC techniques. Since 2017, I have worked on devices to augment vision, mobility, and dexterity for people with disabilities. My goal is to use technology to improve mobility and access for people of all abilities.
My Portfolio
Hands
I am currently developing a 3d-printable prosthetic hand with cephalopod-inspired robotic suction cups on the fingers. I have been experimenting with both hard and soft robotic finger designs, using tendon-driven actuation methods. I used a CNC router to machine pieces out of polycarbonate for the first iteration of the finger, and switched to TPU extrusion on an FDM 3d-printer for the second iteration. I aim to redesign the TPU finger to work more effectively with servo controls, and accommodate for suction grippers at the fingertips. I have also created a palm onto which the fingers are mounted, but it is currently in early design stages.
Design Goals: Dexterity, Weight, Cost
Feet & Limbs
Explorations of prosthetic leg designs starting with concept drawings based on the muscles in the human leg, sketches in SolidWorks, and assembly containing the key parts of this design. All designed components are compatible with standard 3D printer to make a working prosthetic leg with a low cost manufacturing basis.
Design Goals: Mobility, Weight
Eyes
The Surround3 cane is a sensor-enhanced probing cane to help the visually impaired. To allow for greater awareness of surroundings, the cane uses ultrasonic sensors to collect data about object proximity and feeds the data to the user using vibration feedback in the handle.
Second generation LIDAR- and GPS-powered versions improve some of the flaws associated with Surround3, which included the cane only working at certain orientations, motor torque, as well as mounting issues. These prototypes feature alternate gearing, 3D-printed rolling mechanisms for a cane tip, and other design features that improve the existing smart cane.
Surround3 won top awards at the California State Science Fair.
Design Goals: Mobility, Cost
Robotics
JUMP Robotics is a Palo Alto, California-based robotics team that is entirely student-run and independent of any school or institution. We educate kids from all backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and math. We provide educational tools to students in underserved communities through our free summer camp.
Design Philosophy
My goal is to improve mobility and access through technology. I use a variety of materials in my prototype designs because I believe that the medium of a design can affect its usability and manufacturability, just like the medium of art influences its perception. These materials include soft robotics, cast moulding, as well as traditional 3D printing.
