Yvonne Knight
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I'm trying to find a place for my writing.
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Jaco
Jaco is a revolutionary concept for quadriplegic independence. Jaco is made by Kinova which is a leader in industrial robotics. Jaco is a robotic arm that is attached to the wheelchair and is controlled by your wheelchair’s joystick. Jaco can help with everyday tasks such as feeding, drinking, and grabbing things. Could you imagine not running out of food or drink before the next personal assistant arrives?… well, that’s what Jaco is there for. Jaco is made of weather resistant carbon fiber that is a lightweight material; carbon fiber is also incredibly durable. Jaco is capable of 16 different movements. Jaco comes in two versions, two fingers or three. The three finger one has a thumb and is fully functional to assist in activities such as eating and drinking. Jaco easily replaces those very expensive aids that are just there to feed you. Jaco also has rubber grips on his fingers, too, make gripping objects easier. This is a new concept that is an important advancement part of physically restricted quadriplegics in reaching their full potential. The heartbreaking thing about this technology is the price tag makes it practically impossible for the average person to be able to afford. My hope is that something with this technology will be available and accessible to all types of people with disabilities. People with disabilities will probably always have some form of physical help from another human being, but technology like this can reduce the strain during caregiver’s absence. Truthfully it is my dream to have a fully automatic robotic personal care assistant. I often find caregivers intrusive. Given the flaws of the private sector, I feel that robotic care maybe a viable direction for some of us. I hope to find some sort of funding for this vital piece of equipment.
By Yvonne Knight7 years ago in 01
