Robot Arm Prosthetic
The Shift Arm
A prosthetic arm used for the Operation of Manual Transmission Vehicles
​​​​​As a car enthusiast, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of having full control behind the wheel and listening to the engine roar as you shift gears. For individuals who have experienced traumatic events that make this feeling impossible, such as upper arm amputees, my team and I wanted to change that. We developed an upper arm prosthesis that seamlessly attaches to the vehicle’s shift knob, allowing users to operate a manual transmission effortlessly using just their shoulder. It’s all about bringing that awesome driving feeling back and giving people their independence again.​​​​
My main focus during the design of this prosthesis was creating the wrist. It’s a critical component because it needs to be highly flexible to move in all directions, while also maintaining strength and stability. To tackle this, I chose a ball and socket design, which offers three degrees of freedom. For adjustability, I included set screws in the casing that can be tightened or loosened to control tension, allowing the user to customize the stiffness of the joint.
To ensure durability, I designed a strong casing around the ball joint and 3D printed the entire part using PLA. I also performed finite element analysis to verify the wrist wouldn’t deform under operational forces, reinforcing any weak points I identified. This combination of flexibility, strength, and adjustability helps make the prosthesis both functional and reliable.
In the end, the project was a success. We presented the prosthesis to our peers and professors, and received great feedback. We were highly praised for the uniqueness of our idea and approach as well as the versatility of the arm. It’s capable of being used for more than just its original purpose, which was exciting to see. This project truly reflects my goal of bringing back the thrill of driving and independence to people who need it.
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