Gatekeep by DynaMacs

Arthritis impacts about 1 in 5 Canadians. We set out to provide a solution that not only makes them feel normal again but empowers them by fostering equity and independence in their environment.

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Inspiration

A growing portion of the population is finding it difficult to use either the doorknob or lever design, so we created a mechanism that fulfils the following requirements...​

  • Uses minimum hand strength​
  • Lockable​
  • CSA Compliant​

Creating a substitution that makes the world more accessible for those who feel most left behind

What it does

Allows users with all kinds of arthritis to safely open, close, & lock doors. Fostering an environment of equity, independence, & self-sufficiency in their retirement home environment.

How we built it

After iterating through many ideas, and narrowing our scope to our intended audience, we designed a system that is a visual representation of front-facing design.

Challenges we ran into

Our limited materials and time made the prototyping process challenging, and the circumstances did not print the CAD models correctly. These challenges forced us to adapt in our communication of the product, relying more heavily on simulations & previously captured images.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of having a fully-fledged design that completes its intended function. It fulfils us that with extra time we can fully realize this vision, and help those with arthritis live more empowered lives.

What we learned

We learned that design is an iterative process that takes time. Our first idea was not the solution, and we only got better as time progressed.

What's next for Gatekeep by DynaMacs

Making the world better one design at a time.

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