【3D Printing Application】Add-ons, Accessibility, and IKEA Home Helpers!
Using a 3D printer can realize infinite possibilities. For daily design, IKEA Israel has made home environments more comfortable for people with disabilities. This project is a collaboration between IKEA Israel and Milbat, a non-profit organization that provides technology for people with disabilities, and "Access Israel," an organization that promotes accessibility in the country. The ThisAbles platform offers a series of free downloadable 3D printable "furniture add-ons" for people with disabilities, echoing IKEA's minimalist style from Northern Europe and the Dutch Ultimaker 3D printer, making many popular products more friendly to people with disabilities.
A More Accessible Home Environment
Currently, the ThisAbles series covers 13 different products for living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and studies. These include the "EASY HANDLE" to improve wardrobe doors, "MEGA SWITCH" to expand the switch range on lamps, and "CANE BY ME" to conveniently place canes by the bed, among others. All products are designed for 3D printing with PLA, and most accessories are simple and easy to use, consisting of only one or two components. Some accessories can be used with everyday items. Additionally, below each item, all compatible furniture pieces are displayed.
(For example, the reflective mirror holder in the video allows you to see the contents directly from a low angle. It can be easily completed by simply placing a mirror on the holder.)
In addition to the current 13 ThisAbles items, the platform also welcomes public feedback and questions to help develop more accessible tools. The website also lists all furniture in the IKEA catalog, such as kitchen utensils that can be used with one hand and shower storage boxes. (Download here)
A Good Start is Half the Battle
Although ThisAbles is currently a regional initiative and sometimes requires translation for assembly, these resources are easily accessible online. These gadgets are available for global download and can be 3D printed anywhere; to overcome language barriers, IKEA Israel has also released a series of demonstration videos on YouTube.
(Pictured is a bedside safety cup holder.)
IKEA is a chain enterprise committed to innovation. Before launching this accessibility initiative, it had already used 3D printing technology for a series of wall decorations and ergonomic chairs for gamers. IKEA Israel's efforts for people with disabilities have opened up more possibilities for home environments, even introducing Ultimaker 3D printers into stores to directly produce items as needed at the time of purchase.
This initiative also emphasizes: "IKEA's corporate philosophy is to strive to improve people's quality of life, which is even more needed by people with disabilities, who constitute 1% of the world's population. We must make an effort to allow these individuals to also enjoy their home environments."
We are pleased to see 3D printing technology improving people's living environments and Ultimaker becoming the top choice for multinational corporations. We will continue to share relevant technologies and global applications. Please follow our Facebook page for the latest information; and if you need these assistive gadgets, you can download them here.
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