Omni
Adaptive Dishwashing

Timeframe: 10 weeks
Year: 2023
Skills: Prototyping, Visualization, User Testing, CAD

A dish cleaning aid that prioritizes one handed operation and flexibility in the kitchen.

Dishwashing is a daily task most people take for granted. But for individuals with limited upper limb mobility (whether from injury, arthritis, or amputation), it can be frustrating and often dependent on others. Even a thumb amputation can reduce hand function by up to 40 percent, turning simple chores into major challenges. Yet most dishwashing tools overlook one handed use, leaving few options for true independence in the kitchen.

Takeaways

- Incorporated actual sponge materials into prototypes to achieve more reliable and realistic testing results.

- Discovered how industrial suction cups could be reimagined as adaptive technology to secure and stabilize objects.

- Refined the design through user-centered testing, ensuring ease of use and ergonomic comfort.