Design Squad Season 1 Episode 12 Bodies Electric

Design Squad is a reality television series that focuses on young engineers that compete against each other in various challenges to create innovative and functional designs. The show is produced by WGBH-TV in Boston and has gained popularity amongst enthusiasts of technology and engineering.

Season 1 of Design Squad has 13 episodes, and episode 12 is named "Bodies Electric." In this episode, viewers get to see the capabilities of a medical device designed for individuals with prosthetics. The device is known as the Myo armband and is specially made to detect muscle movements in a user's arm.

The Myo armband is designed in a way that it can be used to control an array of electronic devices, such as computers and smartphones. To create an innovative and functional design using the Myo armband, the Design Squad engineers are tasked with the challenge of designing a prosthetic arm that can be controlled by the Myo armband.

The challenge is set up in a way that the engineers must work in teams of two to design a prosthetic arm that can perform specific tasks. Each team is provided with the Myo armband and is given a budget of $500 to purchase materials for their design.

The episode starts with the teams brainstorming and designing their prosthetic arms. They work together to create a blueprint of their design and begin sourcing the materials required to build their prototypes. The teams must consider factors such as ergonomics, durability, and weight as they design and build their prosthetic arms.

Throughout the episode, the viewers get to see the Design Squad engineers tackle various challenges as they build their prosthetic arms. Each team has a different design and approach to the challenge, showcasing a diverse range of techniques and problem-solving strategies.

One team, for example, decides to design a prosthetic arm that will enable its user to play the guitar. They create a unique design that allows the user to control the strumming and the fretting of the guitar using the Myo armband.

Another team decides to design a prosthetic arm that can be used to paint. Their design has a paintbrush attachment that the user can control using the Myo armband. They also include a drip tray to catch any excess paint.

As the episode progresses, the Design Squad engineers face various hurdles, such as designing a functioning motor and finding the right materials for their prototypes. They receive feedback from mentors and industry experts who have experience in designing prosthetic arms.

Towards the end of the episode, the teams complete their designs and showcase them to a panel of judges. The judges are impressed with the quality of the designs and the level of innovation demonstrated by the Design Squad engineers. The judges ultimately select a winning team based on the functionality, creativity, and overall design of their prosthetic arm.

In conclusion, Design Squad Season 1 Episode 12, "Bodies Electric," is an exciting and educational episode that showcases the capabilities of technology within the medical field. Viewers get to see the Design Squad engineers tackle a challenging task and use the Myo armband to design innovative prosthetic arms. The episode is informative and engaging, and viewers are sure to learn a lot about engineering and design.