Staircane

We finalized all information to present entry in the 2017 Hackaday Prize finals. Updates for final entry include the following:

1. Include file on Patent status
2. Include drawing file of handle assembly
3. Included YouTube videos of a Staircane animation; and of our prototype
4. Cleaned up some verbiage throughout our project
5. Recalculate some measurements for extension length

Good luck to us and our project. 

Thank you to the Hackaday Team and Judges for their consideration of Staircane

The prototype is ready to go

We completed the dual hand trigger pieces

Updated the BOM list to latest design. I need to get component list nearly completed so that the names are consistent when writing up the build instructions.

Created the hand trigger concept. The picture shown below was our beta version which, when depressed, would pull on the cable to release the lower trigger. 

It was later discussed to have only one hand trigger per set of legs (one set for front, one set for back). This way we'd need only two hand triggers - not 4. This does not show the dual concept as this was just a beta. 

Hope we can get the dual trigger shown tomorrow. 

9/19: The 3D printer is now live and activated. 

The bottom mechanism was loaded and then build via the newly acquired 3D printer to see if it could make the parts for the prototype. The adapter, the extender, and the locking mechanism were made. Having success with this allows us to make modifications much easier. 

Celebrated the fact that we made it to the finals!! Thank you Hackaday voters!!!!

1. We'll make the hand trigger mechanism prototype
2. We talked about ensuring that the trigger is engaged into the extender
3. We need AutoCAD drawings updated and available to team members
4. We'll submit video with triggers for only front legs (for going down stairs)
5. Discussed provisional patent with team

2nd Quarter 2017

• Submit Hackaday project

3rd Quarter 2017

• Complete handle prototype
• Test linkage between handle and activation lever

4th Quarter 2017

• Define/refine BOM
• Test Materials
• Retrofit model

1st Quarter 2018

• Fabricate final prototypes
• Self-Test Model

2nd Quarter 2018

• Refine BOM and price materials
• Retrofit walkers
• Live subject testing

3rd Quarter 2018

• Our Aunt can stay in her house

September 2016 Static prototypes for up and down configurations built and tested for stability

October 2016 User testing of static prototypes confirmed stability and useablility