THE CHALLENGE
The main challenge in developing robot assisted feeding systems lies in bridging the gap between technical performance and user acceptance. Current solutions struggle to gain traction because robots using traditional utensils like forks and spoons cannot reliably handle the wide variety of food textures and shapes, often resulting in spills and frustration for users. While soft grippers offer a more robust method of securing food, they fail to replicate the natural and familiar eating experience people expect, creating a barrier to adoption. This combination of limited reliability and lack of user friendly design reduces the perceived value of these devices, making it difficult for companies to deliver a product that is both technologically effective and commercially viable in the assistive care market.
OUR SOLUTION
Kiri Spoon, is a next generation utensil designed to make robot assisted feeding both practical and user friendly by combining advanced engineering with everyday familiarity. Unlike conventional spoons that cause frequent spills, the Kiri Spoon uses a shape changing kirigami structure made from food safe PET plastic that can wrap securely around different types of food for reliable pickup and then return to a traditional spoon shape for comfortable eating. A motor driven pulley system and flexible joint enable smooth adaptation to varied food textures while a mathematical model ensures precise robotic control. Alternatively, hand-held versions that behave like a normal spoon but excel at grasping and holding foods also improve the assistive eating experience. From a business standpoint, this innovation directly addresses the unmet need for a utensil that is both technically effective and familiar to users, offering a clear competitive advantage in the growing assistive care market by improving independence, reducing caregiver workload, and enhancing user satisfaction.
Figure: Kirispoon encapsulating and releasing foods within a soft kirigami structure with adjustable curvature.
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