Budding young Engineer receives the industry’s ‘thumbs up’ for Robotic Arm innovation

Bhavy Metakar, 18, scooped the ‘TDI Challenge’ first prize with a bionic arm brace and rehabilitation glove for people with limited hand and arm mobility.

The arm was designed to be worn by a user who could have conditions such as a stroke, paralysis or Parkinson’s disease which inhibits hand and arm mobility. (To be used in conjunction with physical therapy to give patients independence and speed up recovery.)

Bhavy demonstrated a high level of innovation in his design and utilised a plethora of technologies from coding, electrical engineering, mechnical engineering and 3D Printing – All but a couple of electrical components, screws and the battery were self designed and manufactured from scratch.

The Technology, Design and Innovation (TDI) challenge is an annual competition open to 14-19 year olds, organised by the Manufacturing Technologies Association and hosted by machine tool manufacturer Yamazaki Mazak at their European HQ in Worcester.

Bhavy was awarded his prize by Bob Shanks, the founder of this years sponsor ‘The Imagineering Foundation’ which introduces 8-16 year olds to the fascinating world of engineering and technology through fun, hands-on activities.