This 3D printed bottle opener makes life easier for disabled people

The Rome Maker Faire is kicking off in the Italian capital today and, over the weekend, there’s sure to be some pretty interesting machines, programmes and inventions on show. One product that garnered plenty of attention and, indeed, bagged an award at last year’s event was a bottle opener designed to help disabled people do a daily task that would otherwise be impossible.

The brainchild of the team behind the Italian +Lab in the +Tuo project, it is ideal for those who suffer from, say, arthritis. Something as everyday as twisting open a bottle of water can be unfeasible for sufferers of that common condition. This opener solves the problem.

It can be printed on most consumer level devices, and the designers recommend using PLA for the process. There’s two versions, both of which can be downloaded from Thingiverse. The first comes with a single grip, and allows you to customise the handle to suit your needs. The second one design comes in a boomerang shape. They both require only the barest minimum of arm strength to use, ensuring even those with severe wrist conditions can use them comfortably.

The +TUO project is a social design project that encourages collaborators to use 3D printing to make devices that will help people with rheumatic diseases to live a fully functional life. So far, it has produced everything from zip openers to key chains to spoon holders. Two designers were behind the bottle opener, PhD student Francesca Ostuzzi and Silvia Ostuzzi.

If you or somebody you know could be helped by this gadget, you can download it from Thingiverse here.