High School Student Receives 3D-Printed Prosthetic Hands for DrummingHigh School Student Receives 3D-Printed Prosthetic Hands for Drumming Aubrey Sauvie, a remarkable 12-year-old high school student from Tennessee, has overcome adversity with the help of a generous donation from engineering students at Tennessee Technological University. Born without hands, Aubrey has defied limitations by pursuing her passion for drumming. Collaboration and Innovation Ten students from the university’s mechanical engineering department created a pair of 3D-printed prosthetics specifically tailored to Aubrey’s needs. Through the Tech Engineering for Kids program, students work to design and build assistive technology for children with special needs. Professor Stephen Canfield coordinates the program, connecting students with children and families facing challenges. Customized Prosthetics for Drumming Aubrey, a triple congenital amputee with no arms below her elbows and a partially amputated foot, had previously used a Hero arm that was not suitable for drumming. The newly designed prosthetics allowed her to play the drums with greater control and force. Engineering Excellence The students collaborated throughout the semester, working tirelessly to optimize the prosthetics’ fit and functionality. They made various iterations based on Aubrey’s feedback, ensuring the final version met her specific requirements. Aubrey’s mother praised the team’s dedication and the ingenuity of the prosthetics, which can be customized for different activities. Inspiration and Determination Aubrey’s unwavering determination and resilience have inspired those who have worked with her. Micah Page, a mechanical engineering student, described her as someone who makes it “look easy to live without hands.” Despite her physical challenges, Aubrey has engaged in a wide range of activities, including dance, taekwondo, and art. Continuing Support According to Professor Canfield, the custom-made prosthetics are expected to last for several years, giving Aubrey the opportunity to continue pursuing her passion for music and other interests. Through the generosity of the engineering students and the support of her family and community, Aubrey’s journey is a testament to the extraordinary impact that innovation and human connection can have on overcoming obstacles.
Aubrey Sauvie, a 12-year-old high school student from Tennessee who was born without hands, says she can now hit her snare drum as hard or fast as she wants.
It’s all thanks to a generous donation from a group of engineering students at the university, who created a pair of 3D-printed hands especially for the budding young musician.
Ten students from Tennessee Technological University created the special prosthetics as part of a class on machine dynamics during the spring semester for Aubrey, who was born a triple congenital amputee.
She has no arms left below her elbows and a partially amputated left foot, her mother, Jennifer Sauvie, told CNN.
The new prosthetics have made a huge difference for Aubrey, who started playing drums this past school year after being influenced by her older sister, who plays percussion.
“Before I had them, I had to put the drumsticks and things in my sleeves and just hold them in the crook of my elbow, and they would slide out over time, depending on how hard I had to play or how fast,” said Aubrey, who lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. “But with these … they stay stable and intact.”
Her band director knew about a program at Tennessee Tech called Tech Engineering for Kids and contacted Stephen Canfield, a mechanical engineering professor who oversees the program.
Tech Engineering for Kids is part of Canfield’s Junior-level Engineering program. Students work in teams to design a form of adaptive assistive technology for a child with special needs in the Middle Tennessee area.
“I have a network of medical professionals, care coordinators, therapists, etc. who work with special needs children in our area, and they help me identify a child and family with a need,” Canfield told CNN.
He then pairs the child with a group of students who design the type of technology the child needs, manufacture it, test it and deliver it to the family over the course of a semester, he said.
According to Canfield, his students have designed toys and devices for children with sensory needs.
Aubrey previously used a myoelectric 3D-printed Hero arm, her mother said.
“She only has one, so it wasn’t really conducive to holding drumsticks,” said Jennifer Sauvie.
The height difference was also a challenge, as Aubrey used one arm to play the drums.
“She couldn’t use the Hero arm for drumming or percussion,” said Jennifer Sauvie.
Aubrey Sauvie is pictured as a baby with her first prosthetic arm. – Jennifer Sauvie
Aubrey’s new prosthetics are more versatile, her mother added.
“The ones she’s printed now are for drums and drumsticks, but if you really wanted to use them to hold kayak ore or whatever, you could theoretically just print different tips to put on the same base (of) prosthetics,” Jennifer Sauvie said. “It’s pretty cool.”
Tennessee Tech students worked with Aubrey all semester to ensure the 3D-printed prosthetic arms fit her properly.
“We would send a certain design to Aubrey, and she would say, ‘Okay, I think this is good, but it’s a little long, can you shorten it?’ or … ‘it’s a little warm on my arm, can you maybe make it a little more breathable?’” Zak Henson, a senior mechanical engineering major at Tennessee Tech who co-led the project, told CNN.
“We’re now trying to think about the question, ‘Okay, how can we keep the design that we’re striving for and adapt it to meet these new needs?’” Henson said of the process.
The team made about six versions of the prosthetics until they were satisfied with the final product, said Branson Blaylock, senior mechanical engineer and project leader.
Aubrey says she wasn’t sure if the 3D printed hands would be right for her, but they ended up being a success.
“I was really excited to be able to use them and try them out,” said Aubrey, who wants to become an ultrasound technician one day.
She added: “They’re becoming a really useful and resourceful tool to help me with my drumming.”
Aubrey Sauvie, who was born without hands and a partially amputated left foot, is breaking boards for her second-degree black belt in taekwondo. – Jennifer Sauvie
“She makes it look easy”
Jennifer Sauvie said she knew Aubrey would be born with a limb deformity when she was pregnant with her.
“It was obviously very scary, but if I had known then what I know now, it would have been a much happier and more joyful pregnancy because she just doesn’t let anything hold her back or get in her way,” said Jennifer Sauvie.
She said her daughter has participated in activities such as dance, taekwondo, art and music.
The group of students who worked closely with the 12-year-old on fitting and adjusting prosthetics found her to be an inspiration.
“When I see her do things that I knew she couldn’t do, she’s just so determined,” said Micah Page, a mechanical engineering student at Tennessee Tech. “She just makes it look easy to live without hands.”
According to Canfield, the custom-made prosthetics should last for years to come before she outgrows them.
For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com
