Personal Connection

This project was born from personal experience with autoimmune arthritis and the challenges it presents. Living with a condition that progressively limits hand function provides unique insight into the daily frustrations and unmet needs of those with neuromuscular impairments.

The motivation is simple: disabilities should be mild inconveniences, like wearing glasses. Just as corrective lenses allow millions to see clearly without stigma or limitation, assistive devices should be affordable, effective, and normalized.

The Problem Space

Arthritis affects over 58 million adults in the United States alone, with hand involvement being one of the most debilitating manifestations. Simple tasks like opening jars, gripping utensils, or carrying bags become painful or impossible.

• Existing assistive devices are often passive (splints, jar openers) and limited in scope
• Powered exoskeletons and prosthetics are prohibitively expensive ($10,000–$100,000+)
• Most research focuses on complete paralysis or amputation, leaving arthritis underserved
• Commercial solutions prioritize rehabilitation over daily functional assistance

There is a clear gap: affordable, powered assistive devices for partial hand impairment that users can wear and operate in everyday life.

The SilverHand Approach

SilverHand is designed to be:

• Low-cost: Target bill of materials under $200 using off-the-shelf components
• Open-source: Full documentation, CAD files, and firmware publicly available
• Intuitive: EMG control leverages the user's existing neural pathways
• Modular: Design allows customization for different hand sizes and impairment levels
• Functional: Provides meaningful assistance with real-world tasks, not just lab demonstrations

By making the design open and affordable, SilverHand aims to democratize access to powered assistive technology and inspire further innovation in this underserved space.