Personal Project
Welcome to my personal projects page! This space is dedicated to sharing the initiatives and creative endeavors that I've led. Currently, you'll find detailed insights into one of my key projects — an innovative solution created during the 2020 lockdown. This project not only challenged my problem-solving skills but also offered a meaningful contribution to my community. Dive in to explore the story, the process, and the impact of this project, and stay tuned as more projects are added in the future.
Door handle project
During the 2020 lockdown, like many others, I found myself grappling with boredom and a desire to use this unprecedented time constructively. My journey began with a simple online search for DIY projects that could be undertaken from home. Amidst various ideas, one particularly caught my attention: a plastic device that could be attached to the bottom of a door, allowing it to be opened without using hands, thereby reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19. While this was a clever innovation, I believed there was room for improvement.
Motivated to enhance the existing design, I stumbled upon a 3D model of a door handle designed for forearm operation. This model was open-source, freeing me from legal constraints and allowing me to modify it to my liking. After several adjustments, I set about creating the prototype with my 3D printer—a device I had assembled myself during a summer camp. However, the initial trials were disappointing; the handle would slip and fail to attach securely to the door. After numerous trials and errors, the breakthrough came when I used the inner part of a bicycle tire as a grip between the door handle and the printed piece, which finally held everything firmly in place.
With a functioning prototype in hand, I pondered over how best to utilize it. Living in a small town in Brittany, France, I felt a strong inclination to support my community, particularly the local hospital. I approached the hospital management with my invention, proposing a pilot installation. The response was overwhelmingly positive, leading to a request to expand the initiative. This was an opportunity not just to mitigate the spread of the virus but also to aid in the daily operations of the hospital by making doors easier and safer to open.
The project's impact grew as more local offices and facilities requested the installation of the modified door handles. The initiative eventually caught the attention of the local newspaper, which featured an article about my efforts. This recognition was not only a personal accolade but also a testament to how a simple idea, born out of a mundane internet search during lockdown, could evolve into a meaningful project benefiting the wider community. This experience underscored the power of innovation and community spirit, proving that even in times of isolation, we can find ways to contribute positively to society.
