Industrial - Bachelor
Imagine struggling to lift a glass of water, spilling its contents or having to ask someone else to help you drink. Everytime your thirsty.
Now imagine experiencing that frustration every single day.
The problem isn’t just the shaking.
It’s the independence that shaking can take away.
MOTIONA changes this
Hand tremors (HTs) are involuntary neurological reactions that cause shaking or trembling movements, most commonly affecting the hands. Everyday tasks such as eating, drinking, personal care and handling objects can become increasingly challenging, significantly impacting independence, confidence and emotional wellbeing.
Research also explored Transcutaneous Afferent Patterned Stimulation (TAPS), an emerging, non-invasive electrotherapy delivering mild, targeted electrical pulses to the median and radial nerves at the wrist. This technology has demonstrated potential to temporarily reduce hand tremor severity, presenting an opportunity to combine electrotherapy with magnetic grip assistance.
“He had his son’s wedding coming up, wanted to be able to stand up, give the speech and not have to feel like, you know, he was shaking all over and be able to eat in front of people”
Interview participate 2
Research Summary
The research aimed to understand the daily struggles, experiences and needs of individuals experiencing involuntary hand tremors, identifying opportunities for an innovative, user-centred solution.
Research Methods:
– Primary and secondary qualitative data collection.
– In-person and online interviews with carers and relevant participants.
– Published archival observations providing first-hand experiences.
Due to ethical restrictions, direct interviews with individuals experiencing hand tremors were excluded.
Key Issues Identified
01 — Limited Grip Strength: Difficulty gripping, holding and manipulating everyday objects.
02 — Eating & Drinking: Challenges performing simple daily activities independently.
03 — Social & Emotional Wellbeing: Reduced confidence, dignity and independence.
Design Objective
To develop an adaptable, non-invasive assistive solution combining emerging electrotherapy with magnetic grip assistance, aiming to reduce hand tremor severity, improve grip security and restore confidence and independence in everyday life.
Starting from initial ideation, exploring a magnitude of different pathways all with the aim of finding a solution for individuals with involuntary hand tremors, and their key issues around Grip Strength and Fine motor skills, Eating and drinking challenges and the decreased social wellbeing. This process followed the double diamond design process, rotating between Iteration, synthesis, user testing and prototyping then back to iteration for a total of 6 full re-design periods. This was vital in ensuring a well refined solution for individuals with Hand Tremors.
MOTIONA is the innovative, first on the market, 3 piece systematic solution for individuals suffering from involuntary hand tremors. Facilitating the use of the new emerging technology, Electrotherapy combined with intentional ferromagnetic placement, in a smart electrotherapeutic dual Wristband, Ferromagnetic Hand Piece and Control Ring.
“It’s not just about holding a glass. It’s about holding onto independence.”
-MOtiona
The dual MOTIONA Wristband is made up of 2 seperate band thatwork together to create a desired outcome. The Main electrotheraputic wristband consists of a soft, medical grade silicone magnetic strip with a removable electro-housing. This electro-housing works by stopping and/ or slowing the involuntary hand tremor reaction directly from the hand, by conducting slow, controlled electrical pulses into the Median and Radial Nerve in the inner wrist. These pulses calm the nerves and muscles contracting in the hand, stabilising the hand. Transcutaneous Afferent Pattered Stimulation is the electrotherapy used in the band. This Electro-housing is completely waterproof and removable to allow consumers to Customise the band design from our 6 colour range. The magnetic, no buckle design allows for easy wear, lareg adjustability and set-up with minimal fine motor control required. The silicone band also allows for consumers to customise the sizing of their band by simply cutting the band where suits them best, however the design works without necessary cutting and will just bond to itself.
“MOTIONA’s true value isn’t in its technology.
zoe evans
It’s in the independence it could restore.
The confidence to reach.
The freedom to hold.
The dignity to do it yourself.
Because independence isn’t just about what you can do.
It’s about having the freedom to do it yourself.
MOTIONA. More than movement, the freedom to take back control.”
The Hand piece is a small, thin, flexible band for optimal adjustability. The hand piece is wrapped around the palm of the hand and is constructed from medical grade silicone, consisting of a Ferromagnetic coil and magnet. This piece works in conjunction with the activity band. When the individual goes to pick up a glass of water, the Ferromagnetics in the palm piece, connect with the ferromagnetics in the actyivity band. This directly supports the key issue identified of decreased grip strength that is commonly associated with individual with hand tremors.
When engaged, the magnetic force adds a secondary feature of grip supports, allowing for a more comfortable and confident movement. Supported by the electrotherapy in the main band reducing the overall strength, in addition allows for dual support, highlighting the increased ease of movement. To engage the smart/ electric ferromagnetic technology the Ring is the final piece of the puzzle.
“Because a product designed to restore independence should never create another dependency”
The ring is a relatively simple, flexible design, crafted from TPU, however it is the control system of the entire system. The thin, visually cohesive design, located on the users index finger, consists of a touch sensor located on the outer side of the ring, and an indication light on the front middle. When engaging the ferromagnetic and Electro theraputic system, the touchpad on the ring needs to be touched to engage. Due to the strategic placement of the ring and ergonomic design, The user can just use their thumb to simply tap the sensor. To ensure the system is on the LED indication light will turn Green. this indicates the electrotherapy has begun in the main band. Due to the intentional design of the removable hand-piece, the first tap of the ring will turn on only the electrotherapy, to engage the ferromagnetics the ring requires a second tap turming the LED blue. Engagement is important as this allows for the ferromagnetics to be engaged, securing the activity band and hnd piece together like a cup into a hand. To disengage the ferromagnetic after the movemnent and allow for the cup to be removed from the hand, the ring will need to be tapped again causing the LED to turn Green again, and magnets to disengage.
” By combining electrotherapeutic stimulation with magnetic grip assistance, Motiona aims to reduce the physical challenges associated with everyday activities, such as drinking, eating and handling objects.”
The overall purpose of MOTIONA is to create a non-medical looking solution for individuals suffering from decreased independence, confidence and emotional wellbeing as a result from Involuntary Hand Tremors. By creating a device that can be a seamless solution used in everyday fine motor systems, whether they be incorporating both parts of the system grip strength and electrotherapy or just electrode therapy. Having the opportunity to customise the device to the users need whilst positively impacting their daily life, truly adds irreplaceable value to MOTIONA.
This value constructed by Motiona lies in its ability to promote independence, confidence and dignity for individuals experiencing involuntary hand tremors.
“Beyond physical assistance, Motiona seeks to reduce reliance on others, restore personal autonomy and improve quality of life, through a discreet, wearable and user-centred design.”
Motiona’s benefits are intended design outcomes; clinical testing would be required to establish its effectiveness in reducing tremors.
Zoe Evans is a passionate Industrial Designer driven by human-centred innovation and purposeful design. With a particular interest in medical and assistive technologies, she strives to create meaningful, functional and inclusive products that directly improve people's lives. Combining creativity, technical expertise and problem-solving, she believes design has the power to make a true difference.
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