Generally people always refer to modern-technology when they look at their new smart phones or the mind blowing applications and software updates which companies like Apple and Samsung invent to these devices. People also think of technology that made their life easier by looking at their washing machines and other home / work appliances. On the other side, there is a remarkable percentage of people living their daily lives differently and they’re lacking the technology that would make it somehow easier than they currently are.
In this video, Ryan; a handsome young man, who is on autism spectrum was fortunate enough to have his grandfather building him a hug machine; yes you’ve read that right. Apparently in the end of the video it turned out to be not just a machine, but a wonderful creation which enhanced Ryan’s life that he even got a job that he’s good at just like anyone else is good at something in their lives. Regarding his mental health it was clear that his mother stated was getting much better since the invention of the hug machine, it is something that makes him feel in control, stress-relieving, creates a sense of calm and simply makes him happy.
His grandfather knew how to utilize the models he found on the internet to come up with the hug machine. Understanding the model’s design plan, modifying it according to the person’s needs and then building it should be an example for the definition of technology. When it comes to the broad base word of technology, I personally think that it’s all about comprehending how to utilize rather than being productive in general to accomplish the objective of making people’s lives easier. The idea for the machine at first came when the only thing that could calm Ryan and release his stress was getting a hug from his mother, however with years passing by and Ryan’s physique changing to become bigger and stiffer than his mother it wasn’t possible to receive the same hug as he used in the past.
Therefore I think we should not only to refer to technology when looking at smart devices and appliances, there are still other hand-made panels and inventions that were designed for some people and basically eases their living situations on a daily basis such as this hug machine. “It’s his life now, it has meaning and purpose and it’s not just trying to grow out of autism or trying to do better at every moment.”
1099 Cyborgs, Avatars, and Everyday life 2019 