Utensil thumbnail 1
Utensil thumbnail 2
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images
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

This object consists of 12 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Utensil

2013 (released)
Artist/Maker

Liftware is as stabilising handle intended for people living with essential tremors (ET) and Parkinson's disease. Essential tremors and Parkinson's affect ten million people worldwide and for those affected, using a utensil without spilling its contents is almost impossible. The Liftware enables those affected to eat more easily by counteracting the tremor with a stabilising movement. The starter kit comes with different attachments that work with the device including a fork and small spoon which can be easily changed to suit the needs of the user. There is also the option to purchase other attachments such as the soup spoon, which was also acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum - CD.81-2016.

In 2010, with the aid of a US National Institute of Health start-up grant, engineer Anupam Pathak founded Lynx Design (now Lift Labs) to explore how to create utensils designed for people living with essential tremors. As a graduate student, Pathak had worked for the US-based Army Research Laboratories on developing stabilising weapons for soldiers in combat, before realising that the technology could also be useful for people diagnosed with essential tremors. In 2013, Liftware was launched. The object is an example of an innovative design product that directly benefits the lives and well-being of its users. As millions live with essential tremors and Parkinson's disease worldwide it has the potential to be life-changing for many.

The Liftware handle uses algorithms to distinguish between a user's tremors and their intended movement, producing a counteractive motion to reduce shaking up to 70 percent. The device contains a motion sensor and a small on-board computer that helps distinguish hand tremors from general hand movements. The device then directs two motors inside the base unit to move an attached utensil in the opposite direction of the tremor, which helps the user to more easily bring the utensil to their mouth without spillage. Liftware automatically turns on when the utensil is connected to the stabilising handle, and when placed face down it is put to sleep temporarily.

This device was acquired as part of the Shekou Project, an international partnership between the V&A and China Merchant Shekou Holdings (CMSK) to open a new cultural platform called Design Society in Shekou. The Liftware kit with attachments was included in the inaugural exhibition, 'Values of Design', in the V&A Gallery at Design Society in a section exploring how design can address disabilities.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 12 parts.

  • Soup Spoons
  • Forks
  • Spoons
  • Charging Cradles
  • USB Cables
  • Adapters
  • Packaging
  • Instructions
  • Instructions
  • Packaging
  • Packaging
  • Devices
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Liftware starter kit body with soup spoon attachment, and separate fork and spoon attachments, designed by Anupam Pathak, 2013, manufactured 2015.
Physical description
A handle cased in white plastic with changable metal utensil attachments, including a fork, spoon and soup spoon.
Dimensions
  • Width: 15.2cm (Note: BIO-SPECIMEN BAG)
  • Length: 16.9cm (Note: BIO-SPECIMEN BAG)
  • Width: 16.9cm (Note: BOX)
  • Length: 12.5cm (Note: BOX)
  • Depth: 3.4cm (Note: BOX)
  • Length: 9.1cm (Note: Test Tube)
  • Height: 3.6cm (Note: Funnel)
  • Width: 4.5cm (Note: Funnel)
Gallery label
This object sits in the "Data and Communication" section of the Design 1900-Now gallery, opened June 2021
Steadying the hand
Simple actions such as lifting cutlery can be tricky
tasks for people with limited mobility. Since the
1960s, designers have aimed to help in these
situations through ergonomic and inclusive design.
In 2013, Liftware sought to reduce shaking and help
people with Parkinson’s disease and other mobilityaffecting conditions with this cutlery. It features
stabilising algorithms which distinguish between
tremors and intended movements when eating.

Assistive fork and spoon
Liftware, 2013 (manufactured 2015)

Designed by Anupam Pathak, Lift Labs
Manufactured by Lift Labs, USA
Plastic, metal and electronic components
Museum no. CD.153:1 to 3-2016
(01/12/17)
Liftware Spoon
Liftlabs
USA, 2013

Essential tremours affect ten million people worldwide. For those afflicted, using a utensil without spilling its contents is almost impossible. The Liftware Spoon aims to alleviate this by using algorithms to distinguish between a users' tremours and their intended movement, producing a counteractive motion to reduce shaking up to 70 percent.

'Values of Design', V&A Gallery, Design Society, Shenzhen, China
Object history
The Liftware set was included in ‘Values of Design’ at the V&A Gallery, Design Society in Shenzhen, China in 2017.
Summary
Liftware is as stabilising handle intended for people living with essential tremors (ET) and Parkinson's disease. Essential tremors and Parkinson's affect ten million people worldwide and for those affected, using a utensil without spilling its contents is almost impossible. The Liftware enables those affected to eat more easily by counteracting the tremor with a stabilising movement. The starter kit comes with different attachments that work with the device including a fork and small spoon which can be easily changed to suit the needs of the user. There is also the option to purchase other attachments such as the soup spoon, which was also acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum - CD.81-2016.

In 2010, with the aid of a US National Institute of Health start-up grant, engineer Anupam Pathak founded Lynx Design (now Lift Labs) to explore how to create utensils designed for people living with essential tremors. As a graduate student, Pathak had worked for the US-based Army Research Laboratories on developing stabilising weapons for soldiers in combat, before realising that the technology could also be useful for people diagnosed with essential tremors. In 2013, Liftware was launched. The object is an example of an innovative design product that directly benefits the lives and well-being of its users. As millions live with essential tremors and Parkinson's disease worldwide it has the potential to be life-changing for many.

The Liftware handle uses algorithms to distinguish between a user's tremors and their intended movement, producing a counteractive motion to reduce shaking up to 70 percent. The device contains a motion sensor and a small on-board computer that helps distinguish hand tremors from general hand movements. The device then directs two motors inside the base unit to move an attached utensil in the opposite direction of the tremor, which helps the user to more easily bring the utensil to their mouth without spillage. Liftware automatically turns on when the utensil is connected to the stabilising handle, and when placed face down it is put to sleep temporarily.

This device was acquired as part of the Shekou Project, an international partnership between the V&A and China Merchant Shekou Holdings (CMSK) to open a new cultural platform called Design Society in Shekou. The Liftware kit with attachments was included in the inaugural exhibition, 'Values of Design', in the V&A Gallery at Design Society in a section exploring how design can address disabilities.
Collection
Accession number
CD.153:1 to 12-2016

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Record createdFebruary 1, 2016
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