OBI feeding robot

[Memory Creator]

My husband is now struggling to feed himself and really hates anyone else helping. A friend of mine mentioned that the MNDA (Scotland) loaned an OBI a few years ago to her father-in-law. Has anyone experience of these gadgets? This is it here: https://www.cyclonemobility.com/product/obi/

Thanks to everyone reading this. Wishing you well on your journey.
Marion

[Terry]

Hi Marion and welcome to the forum,

I have not seen this before but seems like a good idea. I would like to see more robotic arms for people who have little arm use. The OBI seems a bit expensive at around £4000 or hiring for around £270 a month.

It appears to be operated by using one or two switches, they could have linked it up to eye gaze or voice control or even program it to do it automatically and gets a different spoon full once you have taken it.

It is all very possible, I have a toy robotic arm that I can control with head movement and program it to do different manoeuvres. It does not have step motors so it is not very good to program for repetitive tasks.

How does your husband drink, maybe a Hydrant would be better.

Love Terry

[Terry]

Hi Marion;

I have looked at a couple of other video's on it and it does have a automatic mode as well as using the switches.

In this mode it takes 3 spoons from one bowl and then moves on to the next.

It does seem to be a complete system that is easy to set up and even wipes it's spoon if you operate a switch.

I am well impressed with it.

Love Terry

[Terry]

Hi

A update on the robotic feeder.

The UK representative www.rahanalife.co.uk and they have provided the following information.

As we are a private company we supply the Obi based on payment either to buy the device outright or to rent it for a period of time. You may be able to get a grant to help with this or possibly your local NHS or Social Services can hep - if you have an Occupational therapist you can talk to about these options that may be useful. I have to say that such arrangements can take time to put in place.

To purchase the Obi the cost is £4650, and the rental cost would depend on the length of initial rental we would establish but this would require a deposit of £1000 with a rental of about £200 per month. Normally, I would conduct a demonstration of the Obi to you and then you would get to trial the device in your home. This would take approximately 1 to 2 hours. If you do have a therapist involved in your care, or perhaps someone from the MNDA then I would encourage them to attend the demonstrative and trial.