Designer Eliza Wrobel created a multifunctional walker prototype using a 3D printer to help disabled people who want to remain active.

Activities which so many people take for granted, such as walking, can become a huge challenge for those who struggle with limb difficulties or old age.

Walkers are great for those who need help moving around their homes. However, they’re not designed for outside activities and may be too difficult to use in many situations.

Eliza Wrobel is a designer and biomedical engineer who wants to change this. She used 3D printing to improve the popular walker design and make it more functional for the user.

Wrobel created an inexpensive medical solution prototype which she hopes will help people who want to stay active despite their disability. She then used a ZMorph 2.0 SX multitool 3D printer to build her idea.

The final prototype design is a multifunctional walker. It currently features two different add-ons including a shopping cart and baby seat. As well as taking into account everyday tasks, it can simply function as a basic walker.

Wrobel also made sure to include regulated height options in her design and easy-to-use brakes to make the multifunctional walker safer.

The Making of a Multifunctional Walker

Wrobel’s functional walker is built from 3D printed elements. She also used a handmade cushion, wire, straps and screws. Her prototype consists of over 100 parts mostly printed using plastic filaments.

A ZMorph 2.0 SX was used to create a prototype model of the design in a 1:2 scale. Wrobel hopes this can adequately prove how useful her idea is so it can go into mass production.

Currently, the prototype is very fragile and is just a proof of concept. However, it can show investors the true potential of creating a cheaper walker.

Hopefully, with some additional work and more 3D printing, Wrobel can design and achieve a sturdy functional prototype. The advantages of using 3D printing are the relatively low costs and fast production time, where ideas can quickly be brought to fruition.

Ultimately, the functional walker proves that when makers have the right tools, they can create innovative products and change lives for the better.

Source: ZMorph