The “DOT it” Student Design Project

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The winter in New England is especially cold, snowy, and icy this year. But for one day sunny warm day last week, I was fortunate enough to visit a small café in Cambridge, Massachusetts and sit with a group of students from MIT talking about their design project, the “DOT it” Braille Labeler.

Engineered by 15 MIT seniors, the “DOT it” team introduced the next generation of Braille label makers. The six button electromechanical device provides a more convenient solution to rotary dials and 26-button Braille typewriters. With the DOT it, the user inserts a roll of Dymo Tape and punches any combination of six keys to make the desired Braille character. The SolidWorks models and animation show how it works. Click here to see it in action.

The students were so excited to show me about their second prototype, because they are working to reduce the size by almost half with a more stylish cover.

I saw many great senior design projects at MIT this year. Perhaps I gravitated to the “DOT it” because, as an engineering professor for 10 plus years, the technology was so limited to help students who were visually impaired. The Braille movie and poster was shown in the education exhibition area at SolidWorks World.

Marie Planchard

Marie Planchard

Senior Director, Early Engagement, 3DEXPERIENCE Works at Dassault Systemes
Marie Planchard is an education and engineering advocate. As Senior Director of Education & Early Engagement, SOLIDWORKS, she is responsible for global development of content and social outreach for the 3DEXPERIENCE Works products across all levels of learning including educational institutions, Fab Labs, and entrepreneurship.
Marie Planchard

@marieplanchard1