# Project HANDL Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-u5OTFIRLU Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/x-u5OTFIRLU Generated: 2026-01-30T16:36:46.639+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The Systems Design Engineering (SYDE) team, named HANDL, developed a self-stabilizing utensil attachment aimed at helping individuals with tremors from conditions like Parkinson's or medication-induced shakes regain autonomy during daily activities like eating, which they successfully presented and won $2,500 in the University of Waterloo Velocity Age Tech Innovation Hackathon. **Key Points:** - The team, named HANDL, consists of four Systems Design Engineering students: Aria Dixit, Yosha Aneja, Mehak Dhaliwal, and Aditi Sandhu. - Project HANDL is a self-stabilizing utensil attachment designed to help individuals experiencing tremors (due to Parkinson's, osteoporosis, or medication) eat independently without spills. - The project was inspired by the team members' personal connections to older loved ones experiencing difficulties with daily activities due to tremors. - The development process involved five components: mechanical engineering, signal processing (detecting tremor frequencies/amplitude), control systems/mechatronics, PCB/hardware design, and software integration. - The team participated in the University of Waterloo Velocity Age Tech Innovation Hackathon, where they secured $2,500. - User testing and feedback from initial users informed the design process, helping the team tailor the solution to specific needs like grip strength and ergonomics. - Next steps involve continuing prototyping, refining physical and technical components, analyzing frequencies, and validating methods with professors. ![Screenshot at 00:00: Team member Aria Dixit introduces herself and the team's field of study, Systems Design Engineering, setting the stage for the project discussion.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/x-u5OTFIRLU/00-00-00.jpg) **Context:** This video features four female Systems Design Engineering students from the University of Waterloo—Aria Dixit, Yosha Aneja, Mehak Dhaliwal, and Aditi Sandhu—discussing their capstone project called HANDL. The project addresses the challenges faced by an aging population who experience tremors, such as those from Parkinson's disease or medication side effects, making it difficult to perform activities of daily living like eating without spilling food. ## Detailed Analysis The team HANDL, comprised of four SYDE students (Aria Dixit, Yosha Aneja, Mehak Dhaliwal, and Aditi Sandhu), developed a self-stabilizing utensil attachment designed to restore autonomy and dignity to individuals with tremors, specifically those caused by Parkinson's or medication. This project was born from personal connections to older loved ones affected by tremors who struggled with eating independently. The team participated in the University of Waterloo Velocity Age Tech Innovation Hackathon, where they won $2,500. The design process was highly interdisciplinary, structured around five key components: mechanical engineering (focusing on ergonomics and grip strength), signal processing (detecting tremor frequencies and amplitude), mechatronic control systems, PCB/hardware design (integrating electronics from batteries to power distribution), and software tying everything together. Initial design decisions were heavily informed by user testing and feedback, which helped narrow the focus to specific problem areas. A major challenge identified early on was the lack of a grounded reference point for stabilization, unlike existing solutions like camera gimbals. The team is currently deep in the prototyping phase, refining both the physical design and technical components, and plans to continue iterating based on further user verification and feedback to improve upon earlier versions. ### Project Introduction & Inspiration - Project name is HANDL - Inspired by group members having grandparents or older loved ones with tremors (Parkinson's, osteoporosis, medication-induced shakes) who struggle with eating independently - Goal is to help them regain autonomy and thrive with longevity. ### Design Process Components - Five main components considered: 1. Mechanical Engineering (user grip, ergonomics) - 2. Signal Processing (detecting tremor frequencies/amplitude) - 3. Control Systems/Mechatronics - 4. PCB/Hardware Design (battery to power distribution) - 5. Software to tie it all together. ### Design Philosophy & Iteration - Design is fundamentally interdisciplinary, drawing on members' diverse backgrounds (Nvidia, Tron, MedTech startups) - They chose to be lane leads (one specialized, one supporting) to cover all five pillars - They iterate on designs, exploring considerations from ergonomics to usability and electronics integration. ### User Testing & Validation - User testing was a big part of the process, tailoring the design based on feedback regarding grip strength and how users hold utensils - They are currently validating methods by talking to various professors. ### Next Steps & Conclusion - The immediate next step is to narrow down frequency analysis for movement stabilization - They plan another round of design verification with the initial user group to ensure prototypes meet real-world needs and improve earlier versions - The interdisciplinary nature and passion for the problem provide motivation. ![Screenshot at 00:20: Team member Aria Dixit names their project as "Handl".](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/x-u5OTFIRLU/00-00-20.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:33: Title screen for "TEAM: HANDL The Inspiration" set against a blueprint background.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/x-u5OTFIRLU/00-00-33.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:16: Group photo with the University of Waterloo and Velocity logos, where the team participated in the Age Tech Innovation Hackathon.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/x-u5OTFIRLU/00-01-16.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:36: CAD rendering of the HANDL self-stabilizing utensil attachment, showing the spoon and the main housing unit.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/x-u5OTFIRLU/00-01-36.jpg) ![Screenshot at 02:27: Close-up of the prototype utensil attachment on a table, highlighting the mechanical connection between the handle and the spoon.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/x-u5OTFIRLU/00-02-27.jpg)