Power grabber handle

Project information

Possible technologies involved: Microcontrollers, programming, 3D printing/machining.
Project Type: General
Expected prototype budget: Not available
Expected project cost: $100

Client Information

Please sign in to view client info.

Client Information

The standard pick up stick uses the grip handle to shorten a wire that when pulled through a coupling brings the gripper jaws together. It currently involves manual hand gripping to close the gripper end around the object to be picked up and maintain this until the object is retrieved and released. To develop a power option for a standard pick up stick will permit a person with weak hand strength and/or grip to operate such a device.

Your task is to design a powered system that will replace the hand grip requirement with essentially a powered mechanical hand and will hold the object for recovery from the stick.

Here are 2 different types of pick up sticks that exist on the market, either could be worked on:
The first has a pull element in front of the handle:
https://shop.wellwise.ca/products/the-helping-hand-handi-grip-pro-reacher
The alternate version has the gripper with finger locations in line with the handle:
https://www.amazon.ca/Grabber-Tool-FitPlus-Premium-Reacher/dp/B07T3HTBD9?th=1

Past attempts

There have been a few similar projects to this in the past, this project differs from other approaches that have created an overall powered gripper stick, rather than simply powering the gripping mechanism. You can find their attempts in the 2 links below. The attempts done in winter 2022 were are good ideas however they created an overall gripper again rather then just the handle. https://makerepo.com/project_proposals/209
https://makerepo.com/project_proposals/179