Improved Reacher-Grabber Research and Design

Analyzed 40+ transcripts from interviews with wheelchair users, and identified the need for an improved reacher-grabber product. Conducted competitor usability testing with 5+ products and in-home interviews with four wheelchair users. Identified personas and prototyped an improved reacher-grabber.

Photograph of a woman wearing all black and sitting in a red wheelchair, using a reacher-grabber tool with an outstretched arm and grabbing a can of Goya kidney beans.

Impact

Number 2 icon
Created a business opportunity for Includesign to develop and sell this product to their current customer base
Number one icon
Identified a market need for an improved assistive grabbing device for wheelchair users who live semi-independently
Short white and blue reacher grabber with rubberized tip and a rubber notch on the top of the grabber head.
White, blue, and black plastic reacher-grabber with a texturized rubber tip.
Black and orange plastic grabber, shown extended and also folded in half.

Interviewees reported finding reachers inconvenient, “not sexy,” and embarrassing to use in public. They reported using them extensively inside of the home for daily tasks. Some people have multiple types of grabbers and use them very regularly, while others only use a grabber infrequently or only for specific tasks.

Guiding research questions:
1. In what situations do wheelchair users use a grabber, if they use one at all?
2. Do grabbers benefit wheelchair users, and why/how?
3. Which factors are most relevant to whether or not someone benefits from using a grabber (e.g. cost, size, grip strength required)?

Insights

I found two types of users who had very different experiences with grabbers. By creating empathy maps drawing on direct quotes and observations from my interviews, I was able to understand their lived experiences and visualize their beliefs, actions, and attitudes.

Empathy map with the title "grabber as tool complete independence" It has an icon of a man in the middle, and four quadrants, labeled "says," "thinks," "does," and "feels." In each quadrant it has digital sticky notes with direct quotes or observations from interviews. There is text next to each quadrant summarizing the stickies inside. The following are the summaries. Says: "I do everything myself, I usually don't want help." Does: "I do my daily routine independently, and I'm very active. Thinks: "I wish my grabber could help me do even more." Feels: "I'm frustrated when people try to tell me how to do things. I'm flexible, and if it's necessary I'm willing to ask someone to help me."
Persona for users living semi-independently
Empathy map with the title "grabber as tool for hobbies and emergency stopgap tool." It has an icon of a woman in the middle, and four quadrants, labeled "says," "thinks," "does," and "feels." In each quadrant it has digital sticky notes with direct quotes or observations from interviews. There is text next to each quadrant summarizing the stickies inside. The following are the summaries. Says: "Maybe I could do more tasks [why am I supposed to want to do more tasks?]" Does: "There are a few things I always do independently, and my caretaker does everything else. Thinks: "There are fun and fulfilling things I would like to be able to do if they were a little easier for me." Feels: "I'm frustrated when I'm alone and I can't do something essential."
Persona for users living with caregivers

Prototyping Process

Metal reacher-grabber with suction cup head

During competitor usability testing, participants found it especially easy to use the Luxet suction cup grabber for small items as well as big items with flat, smooth sides. In addition, the highly durable metal grabbing mechanism gave the users more control.

Digital sticky notes containing ideas for what features a reacher-grabber product could have. Under "must," the sticky notes read "reach at least 2 feet," "grab items of various shapes and sizes as small as a packet of yeast and as big as a gallon of milk," "carry at least 5lbs," and "comply with ADA product guidelines." Under "should," the sticky notes read "fold down to less than 18 inches," "can get objects in multiple orientations," "carry at least 8lbs," "be aesthetically appealing; should not make the user embarrassed to use it in public." The sticky notes under "may" read "fold down to 1ft," "texturized/sticky/magnet end," "not feel/look medical," "fasten to chair," and "have different head attachments.
Must/should/may product design brainstorm

An improved reacher-grabber must be able to grab items, extend in length, and carry weighted objects

Venn Diagram of items similar to a reacher-grabber. The three circles are labeled "carrying," "extendability/foldability," and "grabbing." Items in the Venn diagram include tent poles, fishing net, claw machine, umbrella, and selfie stick.

Product inspiration brainstorming, making a venn diagram of everyday items with the “must-have” features for design inspiration.

Digital sketch of a reacher-grabber. The drawing is marked up with feature specifications for the handle, shaft, internal mechanics, and grabber head.

Aggregating the important features from the ideation phase, and including individual insights from interviews and usability testing.

Photograph of a hand holding a metal red vacuum hose nozzle. The nozzle has notches to change the length and appears to be extended to the longest length possible.
One research participant showed me her extendable vacuum, and suggested that the grabber be similarly retractable.
Participatory design

The prototype was created iteratively over the course of a month, emailing with research participants to solicit regular feedback.
Changes that the interviewees recommended included widening the handle grip and adding a finger loop to make the retraction of the grabber easier.

3D-printed prototype of a reacher-grabber product. It is long, thin, and made out of dark green, navy blue, and grey 3D printed plastic.
Moving GIF of a retractable reacher-grabber head prototpye.

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