Concept
Adjustable Guide Dog Harness
An adjustable guide dog harness that changes with different height shoes.
Volunteers:
Designed for Anna by Zichen Yang
Programs: TOM @ University
About
The Challenge
Anna would like to create an adjustable handle for her guide dog harness so that she can easily alter its length. Changes in the harness tension impact the feedback Anna’s dog receives while guiding her through the environment. When Anna wears heels or platforms, the increased tension in the fixed-length harness changes her dog’s movement and creates a safety risk.
The Concept
Across a Makeathon, Developer Group, and TOM @ University program, Anna worked with teams of Makers to create several versions of the Adjustable Guide Dog Harness.
The designs all utilise different mechanisms to adjust the harness length depending on the individual’s height, stance, or dog size. The pictured designs both utilise telescopic handles similar to a suitcase and were developed through the following programs:
- Designed by Zichen Yang through the 2023 TOM @ University program (green and orange)
- Designed at the 2017 TOM Makeathon (silver and blue; Digital Product File available for download below)