Assistive Technology Casting Device

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one out five people in the United States has a physical or mental disability. The purpose of this project is to make fishing accessible for physically and mentally challenged people constrained to a wheelchair. In order to do this, an automatic casting system has been designed at UW within the Mechanical Engineering Department by three undergraduate seniors. Currently there are multiple assistive technology casting devices on the market, however most designs lack the ability to cast at different distances and to set the hook in a fish. This design incorporates variable casting distance, ranging from 30 feet to 80 feet as well as having the ability to set the hook. It incorporates a linear spring, linear actuator, rotation of a fishing rod and a solenoid release. The system will be initiated by the user interface control of a joystick that will be used to cock and cast the fishing pole, as well as reel in the fishing line.