Our story
At Team UnLimbited, we understand the practical, physical and emotional challenges faced by people born with limb difference - because we’ve experienced them ourselves. We know what it’s like to live with a disability. It’s what brought us together and continues to inspire the work we do.
It started with a helping hand
February 2015
Drew delivers the first 3D printed hand device to Eden, from Manchester. Seeing the impact it has, inspires him to build more.
August 2015
Drew and Steve start working more closely together and Team UnLimbited is born.
November 2015
The Isabella Edition Arm grabs the world’s attention. A viral video of Isabella receiving her device gets over 3 million views on YouTube; it makes global new headlines, appears in Google’s Year of Search 2015 and Channel 4’s Rio Paralympics TV ads.
December 2014
Global partnership programme, e-Nable, teams Steve Davies with Drew Murray, to manufacture a 3D printed left hand. Together they make a game-changing discovery - a hand with the potential to change upper limb difference forever.
July 2015
Steve pairs up with 7-year old Isabella, from Bristol, to create and design a 3D printed arm device for her.
September 2015
Drew and Steve invent the world’s first thermo-formed 3D printable arm - the Isabella Edition - in honour of its first recipient.
March 2018
Team UnLimbited becomes a registered charity, specialising in the design and build of innovative 3D printed arm devices.
Our Story
It started with a helping hand
Dec 2014
In 2014, the global partnership programme, e-Nable, teamed him up with Drew Murray, to manufacture a 3D printed left hand. Steve’s engineering and CAD design skills combined with Drew’s IT and tech know-how, led to a game changing discovery - a hand that had the potential to change upper limb devices forever.
Feb 2015
Drew delivers first device to a girl from Manchester; Eden. Seeing the impact this work has Drew decides to build more devices.
July 2015
Steve was then paired with 7-year old Isabella, from Bristol, UK. She was born missing her left hand and most of her forearm. So his mission, this time, was to design a 3D printable arm..
August 2015
Drew and Stephen agree to greater collaboration and Team UnLimbited is born
September 2015
Despite its acclaim, Steve knew it could be better. So, together with Drew, he invented the world’s first vacuum formed 3D printable arm - the Isabella edition - in honour of its first recipient.
Date?
This arm grabbed the attention of the world when the video of her receiving it went viral. More than 3 million people viewed it on YouTube; it made global news headlines; appeared in Google’s Year of Search 2015 and Channel 4’s Rio Paralympics TV ads.
March 2018
Team UnLimbited officially become a charity
Today, Team UnLimbited is a registered charity, specialising in the design and build of innovative 3D printed arm devices. By sharing its breakthrough invention with 3D printing enthusiasts, schools and organisations - entirely free of charge - it helps give courage and confidence to limb different children and adults around the world.
Our mission
Our Mission is to design, develop, build and distribute open source 3D printed assistive devices for people affected with an upper limb difference.
We want every person who has an upper limb difference to have access to a 3D printed assistive device.
Team UnLimbited provide access to a 3D printed assistive device, this can be facilitated in several ways:
Directly from Team UnLimbited if the recipient is in the UK.
From an individual or group producing 3D printed assistive devices using our designs who are based all around the world.
By providing all the information and designs for someone to build their own device.
Why we do it
We have both been affected by disability and have experienced what it is like to grow up and live in a world when you are different and the impact that can have on your confidence and self-esteem.
We have seen and experienced the positive impact a personalised 3D printed assistive device can have on a child as well as on adults. Not only does it celebrate the personality of the individual it boosts their self esteem and can also act as an important catalyst for discussion, change and perspective.
How we do it
All our design work is open source and free for anyone to use
Our designs and work focus on being simple and low tech; this is to ensure they are as accessible as possible in order to help as many people as possible.
We collaborate and partner with other like-minded individuals and online communities to help progress our efforts.
Who we are
Steve
Co-Founder of Team UnLimbited and designer of the now world-famous UnLimbited 3D printable arm, Steve is dedicated to creating unlimited possibilities for anyone with an upper arm limb difference. As chief designer, he is responsible for the design and innovation of all UnLimbited products.
Drew
Co-Founder of Team UnLimbited, Drew is committed to using tech for the greater good. His understanding of 3D printing has enabled thousands of people around the world to be on the receiving end of a helping hand. He is responsible for the overall running of the charity and growing its global reach through Team UnLimbited’s open source design.
Matt
Trustee of Team UnLimbited and a global ambassador for children with upper limb difference, Matt is the father of the first-ever recipient of a Team UnLimbited arm. He is responsible for the charity’s strategy, ensuring it remains true to its values and supports as many people as possible.
Rhian
Trustee of Team UnLimbited and wife to Stephen, Rhian takes care of dealing with the many emails and other messages we receive. Rhian is also responsible for fund raising efforts of the charity.
Ashley
Trustee of Team UnLimbited and wife to Drew, Ashley helps organise the charity finances and other administrative tasks.
GOT ANY QUESTIONS?
If you’d like to know more about the work we do at Team UnLimbited, just ask.
