Concord students create award-winning exoskeleton hand technology

In the United States, a group of dedicated high school students from Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, California, has turned their summer break into an opportunity for innovation. While many of their peers were enjoying typical summer activities, these twelve students focused on a project that would culminate in the creation of a unique exoskeleton hand intended for individuals with limited hand mobility. Their initiative gained traction last October when they secured a $7,500 Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam grant, supporting their effort to develop a technological solution aimed at enhancing the daily lives of those facing mobility challenges. The team's exoskeleton hand is controlled via a mobile application, emphasizing convenience and user-friendliness. As Leqi Li, one of the team members, highlighted, the application utilizes basic block coding to make it accessible and intuitive, allowing users to manage the device seamlessly through their smartphones. Recognizing the ubiquity of mobile phone usage among people today, the younger innovators designed their product with ease of control in mind, thus bridging technology and practicality for those who need it most. The students showcased their invention at MIT's EurekaFest in June, where they competed against other high school teams from across the country. The judges, impressed by the innovation and potential impact of the exoskeleton hand, honored Ygnacio Valley High School's InvenTeam with the prestigious Golden Beaver Award, offered by the MIT Lincoln Lab and MIT School of Engineering. Joseph Alvarico, the engineering and robotics teacher guiding the students, expressed pride in their achievement, noting that this accolade is awarded to only one team each year, highlighting the significant technological advancement represented by their project. Building on this recognition, the student team aim to transition from a proof-of-concept to creating an actual wearable exoskeleton hand. To this end, they have filed for a provisional patent with the assistance of a local law firm, Foley IP Law, which provided pro bono services. As part of their ongoing commitment to innovation and community engagement, the InvenTeam is set to present their exoskeleton hand to the Rotary Club of Concord, who sponsored their trip to MIT, showcasing their hard work and encouraging further support for their groundbreaking efforts.