hndl

The project was developed in partnership with Makerbot and NYCxDesign as part of their Smart Living Object Challenge.

The challenge required the designers to identify a problem and solve it in a few weeks, through the creation of an object that could be prototyped and potentially produced with access to 3D printing technology.

hndl is a portable subway handle that allows users to grip the poles at different heights and positions without touching them.

Subway poles are the biggest nightmare for germaphobic users, making their daily commute uncomfortable and unpleasant. A study conducted in 2015 identified 15,152 types of life forms present on the MTA subway cars and stations. Germaphobia was not the only reason identified as the cause for unpleasant subway rides. In crowded trains, users are not always able to find support or stability in the available rails. As an example, the central ceiling rails on subway cars are barely used, due to their height and position. hndl solves this problem by making it accessible to more users.