{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1330363"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1330363/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2016JH1048/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2016JH1048/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2016JH1048","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2016JH1049","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2016JH1052","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2016JH1046","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1330363","accessionNumber":"CD.153:1 to 12-2016","objectType":"Utensil","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Liftware is as stabilising handle intended for people living with essential tremors (ET) and Parkinson's disease. Essential tremors and Parkinson's affect ten million people worldwide and for those affected, using a utensil without spilling its contents is almost impossible. The Liftware enables those affected to eat more easily by counteracting the tremor with a stabilising movement. The starter kit comes with different attachments that work with the device including a fork and small spoon which can be easily changed to suit the needs of the user. There is also the option to purchase other attachments such as the soup spoon, which was also acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum - CD.81-2016.\r\n\r\nIn 2010, with the aid of a US National Institute of Health start-up grant, engineer Anupam Pathak founded Lynx Design (now Lift Labs) to explore how to create utensils designed for people living with essential tremors. As a graduate student, Pathak had worked for the US-based Army Research Laboratories on developing stabilising weapons for soldiers in combat, before realising that the technology could also be useful for people diagnosed with essential tremors. In 2013, Liftware was launched. The object is an example of an innovative design product that directly benefits the lives and well-being of its users. As millions live with essential tremors and Parkinson's disease worldwide it has the potential to be life-changing for many.\r\n\r\nThe Liftware handle uses algorithms to distinguish between a user's tremors and their intended movement, producing a counteractive motion to reduce shaking up to 70 percent. The device contains a motion sensor and a small on-board computer that helps distinguish hand tremors from general hand movements. The device then directs two motors inside the base unit to move an attached utensil in the opposite direction of the tremor, which helps the user to more easily bring the utensil to their mouth without spillage. Liftware automatically turns on when the utensil is connected to the stabilising handle, and when placed face down it is put to sleep temporarily.\r\n\r\nThis device was acquired as part of the Shekou Project, an international partnership between the V&amp;A and China Merchant Shekou Holdings (CMSK) to open a new cultural platform called Design Society in Shekou. The Liftware kit with attachments was included in the inaugural exhibition, 'Values of Design', in the V&A Gallery at Design Society in a section exploring how design can address disabilities.","physicalDescription":"A handle cased in white plastic with changable metal utensil attachments, including a fork, spoon and soup spoon.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Pathak, Anupam","id":"AUTH337785"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"plastic","id":"AAT14570"},{"text":"metal","id":"AAT10900"},{"text":"electronic components","id":"THES274411"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"","categories":[{"text":"Interiors","id":"THES48933"},{"text":"Household objects","id":"THES48939"},{"text":"Shekou","id":"THES279777"},{"text":"Values of Design","id":"THES279818"},{"text":"Design Society","id":"THES279819"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"DAD","id":"THES260586"},"images":["2016JH1048","2016JH1049","2016JH1052","2016JH1046"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"76","id":"THES49548"},"free":"","case":"PL3","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"76","id":"THES49548"},"free":"","case":"PL3","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"76","id":"THES49548"},"free":"","case":"PL3","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"CAGE","id":"THES49689"},"free":"","case":"CB10","shelf":"MB1","box":"39"},{"current":{"text":"CAGE","id":"THES49689"},"free":"","case":"CB10","shelf":"MB1","box":"39"},{"current":{"text":"011","id":"THES412745"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"CAGE","id":"THES49689"},"free":"","case":"CB10","shelf":"MB1","box":"39"},{"current":{"text":"CAGE","id":"THES49689"},"free":"","case":"CB10","shelf":"MB1","box":"39"},{"current":{"text":"CAGE","id":"THES49689"},"free":"","case":"CB10","shelf":"MB1","box":"39"},{"current":{"text":"CAGE","id":"THES49689"},"free":"","case":"CB10","shelf":"MB1","box":"39"},{"current":{"text":"CAGE","id":"THES49689"},"free":"","case":"CB10","shelf":"MB1","box":"39"},{"current":{"text":"CAGE","id":"THES49689"},"free":"","case":"SR4","shelf":"3","box":"EURO CRATE"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"soup spoons","id":"AAT43175"}],[{"text":"forks","id":"AAT43099"}],[{"text":"Spoons","id":"AAT43149"}],[{"text":"Charging cradles","id":"THES398707"}],[{"text":"USB cables","id":"THES398668"}],[{"text":"adapters","id":"THES398643"}],[{"text":"packaging","id":"AAT55100"}],[{"text":"instructions","id":"AAT27042"}],[{"text":"Instructions","id":"AAT27042"}],[{"text":"packaging","id":"AAT55100"}],[{"text":"packaging","id":"AAT55100"}],[{"text":"devices","id":"THES398705"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"2013","earliest":"2013-01-01","latest":"2013-12-31"},"association":{"text":"released","id":"x46965"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Width","value":"15.2","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"BIO-SPECIMEN BAG"},{"dimension":"Length","value":"16.9","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"BIO-SPECIMEN BAG"},{"dimension":"","value":"","unit":"","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"16.9","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"BOX"},{"dimension":"Length","value":"12.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"BOX"},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"3.4","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"BOX"},{"dimension":"Length","value":"9.1","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"Test Tube"},{"dimension":"Height","value":"3.6","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"Funnel"},{"dimension":"Width","value":"4.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"Funnel"}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"The Liftware set was included in ‘Values of Design’ at the V&A Gallery, Design Society in Shenzhen, China in 2017.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Liftware starter kit body with soup spoon attachment, and separate fork and spoon attachments, designed by Anupam Pathak, 2013, manufactured 2015.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"This object sits in the \"Data and Communication\" section of the Design 1900-Now gallery, opened June 2021\r\n<b>Steadying the hand</b>\r\nSimple actions such as lifting cutlery can be tricky\r\ntasks for people with limited mobility. Since the\r\n1960s, designers have aimed to help in these\r\nsituations through ergonomic and inclusive design.\r\nIn 2013, Liftware sought to reduce shaking and help\r\npeople with Parkinson’s disease and other mobilityaffecting conditions with this cutlery. It features\r\nstabilising algorithms which distinguish between\r\ntremors and intended movements when eating.\r\n\r\n<b>Assistive fork and spoon\r\nLiftware, 2013 (manufactured 2015)</b>\r\nDesigned by Anupam Pathak, Lift Labs\r\nManufactured by Lift Labs, USA\r\nPlastic, metal and electronic components\r\nMuseum no. CD.153:1 to 3-2016\r\n","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}},{"text":"Liftware Spoon\r\nLiftlabs\r\nUSA, 2013\r\n\r\nEssential tremours affect ten million people worldwide. For those afflicted, using a utensil without spilling its contents is almost impossible. The Liftware Spoon aims to alleviate this by using algorithms to distinguish between a users' tremours and their intended movement, producing a counteractive motion to reduce shaking up to 70 percent.\r\n\r\n'Values of Design', V&A Gallery, Design Society, Shenzhen, China","date":{"text":"01/12/17","earliest":"2017-12-01","latest":"2017-12-01"}}],"partNumbers":["CD.153:2-2016","CD.153:3-2016","CD.153:4-2016","CD.153:5-2016","CD.153:6-2016","CD.153:7-2016","CD.153:8-2016","CD.153:9-2016","CD.153:10-2016","CD.153:11-2016","CD.153:12-2016","CD.153:1-2016"],"accessionNumberNum":"153","accessionNumberPrefix":"CD","accessionYear":2016,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2017JU7767"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-03-04","recordCreationDate":"2016-02-01","availableToBook":false}}