Yolkey

🧠 Inspiration

Elderly individuals and people with conditions like carpal tunnel or muscular dystrophy often struggle with simple daily tasks—like turning a key. We wanted to restore independence and dignity to those with limited hand strength by creating a device that makes key-turning easier, safer, and pain-free.

🔧 What it does

Yolkey is a non-electronic, mechanical assistive device that reduces the force required to turn a key. By converting a gentle push or twist motion into torque using a gear-reduction system, it helps users unlock doors without straining their wrists or fingers.

🏗️ How we built it

We used a Scotch yoke mechanism paired with a multi-stage gear reduction system to amplify torque. The design was created with CAD software and laser-cut using acrylic and wood for rapid prototyping. The key is mounted using a secure but swappable mechanism, allowing it to work with different locks.

🧱 Challenges we ran into

• Designing a compact yet functional gear system that fits into a handheld form.
• Creating a key-mounting system that is both secure and easy to swap.
• Balancing torque and distance so the device is effective without being bulky.

🏆 Accomplishments that we're proud of

• Built a working prototype that significantly reduces key-turning effort.
• Developed a modular design that can adapt to different key shapes.
• Created a fully mechanical solution—no electronics or batteries required.
• Designed for real-world impact: simple, effective, and inclusive.

📚 What we learned

• Mechanical advantage can be achieved creatively with minimal components.
• The importance of user-centered design in accessibility tools.
• Prototyping physical products requires iterative design and adaptability.
• Even small design choices (like the handle angle or gear size) can make a big difference in usability.

🚀 What's next for Yolkey

• Refine the form factor for portability and aesthetics.
• Test with real users in different age and ability groups for feedback.
• Explore injection-molded or 3D-printed versions for wider accessibility.

Built With

• canva
• goodnotes5
• nx
• powerpoint
• procreate