Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 10 replies
  • Subscribers 30 subscribers
  • Views 1044 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

Show Idea: Ben should build 'Interactive' crutches for children when they need them after surgery...

e14 Contributor

Right, I know that this sounds like a weird one, but bear with me.

 

I have recently had major surgery on my leg, and have been using those funky aluminum (note I spelled it the US way?) elbow crutches.

 

When I went to the physiotherapy department, I had to go near the children's ward. It was here I saw some children using the elbow crutches, but obviously a lot smaller than mine.

 

How about a simple show project where Ben gets a pair of these hollow elbow crutches, and adds some 'Benheckery'

 

1. Fabric switches on the grips, so each press gives a different note...

2. Strobing or lightly flashing LEDs 'inside' the hollowed out areas...

3. Replacing the bottom rubbers with semi-clear ones with thump-detecting LEDs (remember L.A. Gear lights trainers from teh 80s?) that flash every time they are made in contact with the ground...

 

and lastly

 

4. A custom laser-cut 'Team Heck' logo on each crutch.....

 

What you guys think, keep the kids happy eh?

Attachments:
image
Parents

  • So help me understand this a bit better - the purpose would be to make the crutches into kind of a fun toy?

     

    Not saying I don't like that idea, just want to make sure I know what your intention is.

     

    -Ben

  • in reply to benheck

    I think that the strength of Robs idea is in making crutches or other similar aids a bit more fun and appealing.  Crutches are horrible things, boring, clunky, and annoying after the first 5 minutes you've had all the fun you can get out of them.  Something to encourage kids to use them would be great.

     

    So I'd say, grab a pair of crutches, and see what electronic shenanigans you can fit inside, like sounds effects and lights.  Myself, well I'd go for a little accelerometer controlled robot sound, like with you lift the crutch, it makes a robot moving sound, when the crutch hits the ground have a stomp sound effect, and when you lift the crutch up so it's horizontal, a machine gun sound.  If it was a small unit, it could even be retrofitted into the standard aluminimum crutches, maybe added to that rubber grip on the 'foot' of the crutch.

     

    I had crutches as a kid, and they really are hateful things, but as I said - if they made me sound like a bad ass robot, stomping around like ED209 - well I might not have hated them so much!.

Reply
  • in reply to benheck

    I think that the strength of Robs idea is in making crutches or other similar aids a bit more fun and appealing.  Crutches are horrible things, boring, clunky, and annoying after the first 5 minutes you've had all the fun you can get out of them.  Something to encourage kids to use them would be great.

     

    So I'd say, grab a pair of crutches, and see what electronic shenanigans you can fit inside, like sounds effects and lights.  Myself, well I'd go for a little accelerometer controlled robot sound, like with you lift the crutch, it makes a robot moving sound, when the crutch hits the ground have a stomp sound effect, and when you lift the crutch up so it's horizontal, a machine gun sound.  If it was a small unit, it could even be retrofitted into the standard aluminimum crutches, maybe added to that rubber grip on the 'foot' of the crutch.

     

    I had crutches as a kid, and they really are hateful things, but as I said - if they made me sound like a bad ass robot, stomping around like ED209 - well I might not have hated them so much!.

Children
  • in reply to e14 Contributor

    Thanks Andrew,

     

    I really think this would be a fantastic idea for the show. Anything that is good for kids and their well-being is ace in my humble opinion. Glad you agree with me, and I totally agree - any kid would LOVE to sound like ED209!

     

    "Please open the door for me, you have ten seconds to comply" Haha, priceless.

     

    I suppose the good thing about these things is their hollow nature; using prototyping board cut to five or six rows wide would fit (I may have even tried this with my crutches I'm currently using, lol)

     

    I think that so far, everyone commenting on this thread would love to see it done. There's something very fulfilling in the idea of helping children.

     

    Ben, please succomb to peer pressure, lol.

     

    Rob.