How Can I Create or Improve an Assistive Device?

Hello! I’m an undergrad engineering student doing a design project. I’m trying to create or improve some sort of assistive device. I’m sure some devices have annoying bits that could be improved, but I have no idea what would be useful/most appreciated — any ideas from your personal life? Keep in mind I’m a first year student with not much knowledge, but I have a $100 grant and time/resources to learn — so tell me whatever you want, I’ll build it, and if it works it might go commercial! Thanks.

I actually get asked this question a lot and my answer is pretty much the same each time: make a folding chair that doesn’t suck. The mechanisms are flimsy and the restrictions on things like what angle I can have the foot rest at is annoying (I like my legs at a 90-degree angle to the seat and folding chairs don’t allow that).

Unfortunately, I don’t think that fits within your $100 budget. In that case, I would focus on inventing a universal cupholder that can be easily removed and stored and is capable of handling everything from a thick pint glass to delicate stemware.