Parametric Design for Online User Customization of 3D Printed Assistive Technology for Rheumatic Diseases

New spaces for the co-creation of Assistive devices have been increasing according to the current lack in specific products for everyday user needs satisfaction. Moreover, Open Innovation is gradually increasing the user role in product development thanks to new digital technologies spread. Nevertheless, the knowledge and the affordance of this bottom-up solutions is still limited amongst the potential users. The aim of this work is to show and investigate one application of the Virtual Reality related to Assistive Technology customization, as well as the customization process for the user. Starting from a Co-design approach, variables for customization were detected on specifically co-created products for users with rheumatic diseases. By means of specific 3D modeling tools and an online platform, an Open Source online configurator was then developed for the customization of these products. In this way, customized STL files of the objects can be downloaded and created by using low cost Additive Manufacturing technologies. Consequently, affordable Assistive products for specific needs can be easily spread, increasing the users quality of life.