Automatic Feeder

Shown above is the product of my capstone project, an automatic feeder for people who are quadriplegic. The automatic feeder was design with low cost in mind, using 3D printing for bulding our prototype, and recicled aluminum for the devices legs. The device uses two servo motors in series to create different profiles, we hard-coded two profiles with one being for plates and one for bowls. The system would start with a plate or bowl placed on front of the user at an optimal height so the user can see the plate and reach the spoon. Once a signal is received from the user, the plate will rotate to allow the user to select what part of the food they want to access. When the desired part of the food is located, the user sends another signal which would stop the plate from moving, moves the spoon to collect the food and puts the food on front of the users mouth. Once the user has finished eating the spoonful, the user sends another signal and the spoon goes back to the initial location to start over. The user controls the feeder through a botton placed on their chair, which is pressed by the user moving their head a few millimeters to the side. The system uses an Arduino as the microprocessor, and a set of bateries which are housed below the plates platform. The whole prototype costs about $100 to manufacture. 

Work done in collaboration with: Daniel Rios Estremera and Juan Ramirez Morales

Year: 2017