Tatum Robotics

A 7-year-old student asked me "Should I learn ASL if I want to make robots for DeafBlind people?" In Tatum Robotics' recent efforts to design a new robots to support younger DeafBlind students, I got to collaborate with my lifelong friend Julia Frias! Julia set up a time for me and my team to meet with several classes at Driscoll Elementary School in Brookline so we could measure their hands. In doing that, we got to watch dozens of children's faces gasp at the sight of a robot hand, and listen they then begin to explain to me all the ASL they know and all about 3D printing!! Although we we went in looking to spread awareness and get some hand measurements, we heard some of the best questions like "Should I learn ASL if I want to make robots for DeafBlind people?", "How would the DeafBlind people learn? Just like we learn at school?" And a big shout out to some of the art we got to take home as well --> [Drawing in crayon on white paper of a robot hand based on the Tatum T1. The hand is blue and is on a box with two fans and lots of buttons. ]

When we found out so much of our team had never been apple picking, we had to fix that right away! We had a blast heading out to Honey Pot Hill Orchards for a beautiful day filled with apples, laughs, and cider donuts! [A team photo on a trail with fall trees in the background. Starting on the left, Rachel, Jaime, Keval, Jonathan, John, Rohit, Jaimi, Todd, Neel, Samantha, and Juan. A collage of 5 photos, all outside in the apple orchard with green trees in the back. The first is a selfie, with Samantha, Jaimi, Rachel, and Jaime. Then, a photo of Jaimi in a blue shirt and glasses smiling holding a green apple. Below that, a photo of John and Jon picking an apple together. To the left of that, is a photo of John, Jaimi and Rachel where Jaimi is sitting on the ladder in the middle. Last on the far left, a photo of Neel up on a ladder smiling toward the camera.]

Last week at the Perkins School for the Blind we completed two demos of our Tatum T1 fingerspelling hand for teachers and staff in the DeafBlind Program. We hope this is the first step toward an incredible collaboration, bringing accessible technology and research to the classroom. Thank you Kevin O'Reilly and Marguerite Tibaudo for setting this up, and thank you Michael Brook for the beautiful photos! [This collage consists of four images depicting a technology demonstration event for DeafBlind educators at Perkins School for the Blind: Top Left: A woman smiles while interacting with the Tatum T1 fingerspelling hand. She wears a badge and a red shirt under a dark jacket. Top Right: Two women, one wearing a purple sweatshirt and another in a beige hijab and shirt, stand beside a demonstration table. They are holding the Tatum T1 on the table. Bottom Left: Two women, one in a dark hoodie and another in a gray jacket, are working with the Tatum T1 fingerspelling hand. Bottom Right: A group of people seated in rows attentively watch the demo. ]

One of our favorite days at Tatum, but this year, with a spooky Halloween twist! Tatum's 3rd annual validation with Boston's DEAF-BLIND CONTACT CENTER INC was a huge success. Hosted at the New England Home for the Deaf, we showcased our newest improvements to those that have been involved since the very beginning, and also to new friends! A huge thank you to the DBCC for your continued partnership and for all the years of pizza & laughs! If you missed the event but still want to get involved or give your feedback, please reach out! [A collage of 5 photos with a purple background, with a spider web in the top left corner and bats in the top and bottom right corners. The top left photo is a Tatum team photo with Samantha, Keval, Rohit, Jonathan, Jaimi, Juan, Jaime, Neel, John, and Elaine in their costumes. Next is a photo of a woman with short blonde hair and glasses smiling using the Tatum T1. Below, is a photo of Jon showing a woman with short brown hair how to use the Tatum T1. Next is a photo of Jaimi showing a smiling woman with long braided hair how to use the Tatum T1. Last is a photo of Samantha using the robot with Elaine while she is signing laugh on her cheek.]

We had a great time at Perkins School for the Blind Everybody In walk this weekend! Showcasing our tech for Perkins' students and faculty, as well as the greater community including beloved Boston mascots, Blades the Bruin and Pat The Patriot! Huge thank you to Perkins' Howe Innovation Center for the opportunity to get our team together for this great event! Thank you Madison, Maggie, Samantha, Lisa, Kevin, Raquel, Jaimi, and John for joining in on the fun! [Video of Boston Bruins mascot and Boston Patriots mascot holding on to the Tatum T1 while they both fingerspell 'DeafBlind.' The robots are on a table with some bracelets and stickers, with the Tatum Robotics banner behind them.]

A very exciting win for Tatum Robotics - the GM Prize! We are very grateful for General Motors' commitment to inclusion and equitable STEM education, and we are excited for this new partnership! Congratulations to the other winners ʻĀinaQuest, Renewable Rebirth, Earthbond Solar, OX Delivers, and MakerGhat and of course, a huge thank you to MIT Solve for this opportunity! [A blue square with GM Prize Winner in white, and 'Advancing inclusive, equitable STEM education' below in white text. Above that is group photo of 7 people smiling - on the left Kristen Siemen, then Azra Ismail, Samantha Johnson, Chidalu Onyenso, Natalie Dowsett, Saxon Metzger, and Hala Hanna. There is red dots in the left corner and red art in the right corner]

Our biggest event of the year is THIS SATURDAY and if you haven’t registered, now is the time! Visit Perkins.org/LetsGetMoving to secure your spot today. 👩🦽🏃👨🦯 Walk, roll, and #MoveForPerkins on Saturday, October 5th, and be a part of a global community working to help kids with disabilities find their place in the world. 💙 Thank you to our amazing sponsors Thea Pharma US and VHB!

Check out the Tatum Robotics team at RoboBoston this past Saturday! For the second year, the team showed off the Tatum T1 hand, spoke about our mission at Tatum, and what's in store for the future. A big thanks to MassRobotics and #RoboBoston for including Tatum Robotics in this event! [Collage of photos with a sage green background and white text 'RoboBoston' through the center. On the bottom, one large photo showing a large crowd at the Tatum Robotics table with people interacting with the robots. Above are four photos - on the left, Madison showing a child with red hair and glasses how to use the robot, next a young girl in sunglasses holding the hand of the robot, next a girl in a pink shirt using the robot independently clicking the buttons, lastly, Samantha and a young boy using the robot with the boy's hand holding the robot]

Happy 3rd Birthday to us! This year we have traveled from Chicago, to New York, to Rome and have built such an incredible family supporting our mission. We also finally got Tatum out of our (new!) office and into a couple of homes! Join us as we celebrate and get excited for the next year of accomplishments! [A dark purple background with lighter purple circle with white text reading 'HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TATUM' surrounded by balloons and banners. Below are some of the members of Tatum team smiling and holding up their ages in front of cakes. Starting on the left, Tejaswini is holding 24, Michael is holding 22, then Jaimi is smiling at her cake, then Sriram holding 23, Samantha is holding 26, Jon is holding 24, and the Tatum T1 is making a 3.]

Today is #InternationalDayofSignLanguages! 🌍 Many people with #Deafblindness use various forms of sign language, including tactile sign language, to communicate. Let’s celebrate inclusive communication, and the right to be included and participate in society. 🙌 Image courtesy of Sense International