Young drummer born without hands receives 3D-printed hands from tech engineering students

Ten Tennessee Tech engineering students gave custom 3D-printed hands to Aubrey, a 12-year-old drummer born without hands. This gift lets her play the snare drum freely.

According to her mother, Jennifer Sauvie, Aubrey, a triple congenital amputee with no arms below her elbows and a partially amputated left foot, received the prosthetics made by the students during their spring semester dynamics of machinery class.

The new prosthetics transformed Aubrey’s life, motivating her to start drumming last school year after being inspired by her percussion-playing older sister.

“Before I had them, I was having to put the drumsticks and stuff in my sleeves and just hold them in the crease in my elbow, so it would slip out over time depending on how hard I had to play or how fast,” said Aubrey. “But with these … they will stay stable and stay intact.”

Her band director discovered the Tennessee Tech engineering students and contacted Stephen Canfield, the program’s leader.

It involves Canfield’s junior-level engineering students designing custom assistive technology for children with special needs in Middle Tennessee.

“I have a network of medical professionals, care coordinators, therapists and the like that work with children with special needs in our region, and they’ll help me identify a child and family with a need,” Canfield told CNN.

He pairs each child with a student team to create needed technology, which they design, make, test, and deliver to the family within a semester.

Canfield noted his students also create toys and devices for children with sensory needs.

Aubrey previously used a Hero myoelectric 3D-printed arm, according to her mother.

Jennifer explained that Aubrey’s single arm made it difficult to hold drumsticks.

The length difference when Aubrey attempted to play drums with her single arm was also challenging.

According to Jennifer, the Hero arm Aubrey previously used wasn’t suitable for drumming or percussion; now, her new prosthetics are versatile.

They are currently tailored for drumming and holding drumsticks. Still, Jennifer noted that different tips could be printed for the same prosthetic base to adapt them for activities like kayaking.

The Tennessee Tech engineering students worked with Aubrey throughout the semester to customize the 3D-printed arms to fit her requirements precisely.

Zak Henson, a senior in mechanical engineering at Tennessee Tech, described how Aubrey provided feedback on their designs, asking for adjustments like shorter lengths and better breathability.

So, they worked on adapting their design to meet her updated requirements.

Branson Blaylock, the mechanical engineering senior and project leader, mentioned the team created six versions of the prosthetics until they perfected the final one.

Initially unsure if the 3D-printed hands would work for her, Aubrey found them successful.

Aubrey expressed excitement about trying the prosthetics, aiming to become an ultrasound technician.

She noted they are now a valuable aid for her drumming.

Meanwhile, Jennifer knew during her pregnancy that Aubrey would be born with a limb difference.

Reflecting on it, Jennifer mentioned that while it was initially frightening, knowing Aubrey’s resilience now, she believes her pregnancy would have been much happier and joyful.

According to Jennifer, Aubrey doesn’t let anything hinder her or stand in her path.

Jennifer mentioned Aubrey’s involvement in dance, taekwondo, art, and music activities.

The students who worked closely with Aubrey on fitting her prosthetics found her highly inspiring.

Micah Page, a mechanical engineering student at Tennessee Tech, observed that Aubrey’s ability to overcome challenges demonstrates her remarkable determination.

He noted that she makes a living without hands appear effortless.

Professor Canfield noted that the custom prosthetics should be suitable for Aubrey for the next few years until she outgrows them.

Watch Aubrey’s journey and how a project by Tennessee Tech engineering students helped her achieve her dreams below: