Visiting postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University, Matteo Zallio has designed an open-source personal multipurpose tool that helps people establish a healthy behavior outside of their home in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Matteo, a user experience researcher with a background in architecture and design, noticed how difficult was to open doors, press buttons, and interact with objects in the public space since the spread of COVID-19.
The idea behind ‘Handy’ multipurpose tool is to offer an open-source response to COVID-19 outbreaks, which is known to reportedly last on some surfaces for days.
Handy, an open-source, 3D-printed, personal device can be used every day to pull or push a door handle, to open the car door, to push a button and to easily grab grocery bags.
Having a personal multipurpose tool to avoid direct contact with handles, buttons, bags and other daily objects outside of our home, helps to increase hygiene and to lower chances of getting infected.
Handy can be 3D printed at home in under 2 hours, printed via online 3D printing service, or for those who are creatively manufactured by cutting and gluing layers of cardboard together. This might be a fun activity to do with kids. You can find the 3D printable file and the instructions for DIY manufacturing here.
Handy is customizable, easy to carry, personal, ergonomic (with its design that fits fingers of any size, and limits the hand torsion), can be used by right or left-handed individuals and it’s easy to sanitize.
Handy, along with social distancing and other supporting devices will reduce the likelihood of the spread of COVID-19. It will help people interact with daily routines without touching or getting too close to objects across public spaces. Handy will give you power in your hands.
