Tatum Robotics

Tatum's 2024 holiday party was filled with laughs, puzzles, and presentations! The team participated in a gift swap, escaped the U-boat at Red Fox Escapes, and enjoyed presentations from our co-ops that are wrapping up! Happy Holidays to all! [A collage of four photos with a green background and green text reading 'HAPPY HOLIDAYS' with red starts. The first photo is Juan, Neel, Rohit, Keval, and Jonathan wearing holidays apparel laughing. Next is a photo of Jaime presenting next to a slide with a picture of three phone screens for her 'co-op wrapped', below is a picture with Keval presenting a collage of photos from his coop with a Santa hat sticker, and last is a selfie of the whole team outside] [A collage of four photos. First is a photo of Rohit holding up '27' in front of a birthday cake, next is a group photo of the team in the escape room with the Red Fox Escapes logo in the corner, below is a photo of Neel presenting with a Santa hat sticker next to a green screen showing the Tatum T1 and Jayson Tatum, lastly a photo of Jaimi, Cara, John, and Samantha smiling next to two robots with new gloves!]

A week ago, I defended my master's thesis for my Robotics Engineering program and The Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership at Northeastern University. For my challenge project, I got the great opportunity to work for Tatum Robotics, a company with a mission to help the Deafblind. My project involved building the first prototype of Kids T1 meant to help Deafblind children learn the fundamentals of tactile sign language. I want to thank Francesca Grippa and the NU XN Fund for funding my challenge project. Thank you, GIEL, for being part of the program. Thank you, Samantha Johnson, for the opportunity to work on such a great project. I am excited for the next part of my career journey!

We are thrilled to announce our next round of Global Innovation Challenge 2024 Winners ! 🎉 🌟1st Place: Dareem Jeffrey from Ecowash EcoWash tackles water waste in the carwash industry by developing a water-efficient cleaning system, helping reduce the environmental footprint of car washes. 🌟1st Place: Samantha Johnson from Tatum Robotics Tatum Robotics is working to address communication barriers for the DeafBlind community by developing a robotic device that translates English into tactile ASL, helping individuals gain independence and access to information without reliance on interpreters. A round of applause for the winning projects! 👏 Want to learn more about the young leaders changing our world? Check out their stories on the Social Shifters 100 page https://lnkd.in/ew9Um5eR or tune in to The Social Shifters Podcast! 🎧 https://lnkd.in/eNtifFH2

Tatum Robotics joined the Howe Innovation Center at Perkins as its first “start-up in residence,” bringing robotic tactile #SignLanguage to the Perkins campus so children who are #Deafblind can communicate independently, without an interpreter. 🤝🤖 At Perkins, we believe that #InclusiveDesign means a more #Accessible world for everyone. You can support this work by giving at: https://bit.ly/3ZsuS02

'Where is the button for the clock?' 🤦♀️ (woman face-palms) A DeafBlind man, Erick, visited recently and reminded our team why it is important to do customer discovery! A feature that is so simple, yet, we had not thought about it at all. We are on it! [A light blue background with a photo of Erick, a DeafBlind man with dark hair, dark glasses on his head, and a navy shirt. He is smiling while clicking the buttons of the Tatum T1. A hand with blue nails is touching his shoulder. A text block reads 'This is awesome! Where is the button for the clock?'

Solver shoutout! 💡 Meet 2024 Learning Solver team Tatum Robotics, founded by Samantha Johnson. 🛠️ Their assistive communication device, the Tatum T1, is transforming access and inclusion for the DeafBlind community. This robot translates English into tactile American Sign Language output, connecting users to eBooks, emails, news, and texting services. The customizable device empowers independence and opens up new possibilities for socializing, learning, and thriving. https://lnkd.in/e2f8Rscd #IDPWD #Accessibility

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)! IDPD was established by the United Nations in 1992 to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society. The theme for this year is "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future," highlighting the crucial role that individuals with disabilities play in fostering an inclusive and sustainable world. At Tatum Robotics, we celebrate the incredible contributions of persons with disabilities and their leadership in shaping a more inclusive, innovative future. Our mission is driven by a passion for creating assistive technologies that open doors to accessibility and empowerment for all. Together, we can build a world where everyone has the opportunity to lead and thrive. [White background with orange, green, brown, and yellow abstract shapes around the perimeter. There is text reading 'Happy International Day of Persons with Disabilities' and an orange block reading 'December 3 2024.' In the center, a dark haired woman with a red ASL fingerspelling shirt and white shorts holds on to the Tatum T1 and smiles]

Did you know American Sign Language is just one of 300+ sign languages? Last week, Samantha got the very exciting opportunity to meet with the Japan DeafBlind Association to get feedback on the Tatum T1. Having recently incorporated the JSL handshapes, the four DeafBlind participants helped tune the shapes and movements. A very fun day with new collaborators! Thank you to MassRobotics and the Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. for bringing us to Japan for the opening of the new Yokohama Tech Hub! Additionally, a huge thank you to Anindya Bhattacharyya and Shin for helping set up this event. [A four photo collage. The top left photo is a photo of Samantha with two DeafBlind men, one with a blue hoodie and one with a black shirt and glasses where all three of them hold onto the Tatum T1. Next, a photo of a DeafBlind man in a blue hoodie holding the Tatum T1, while an interpreter copies the robot for another DeafBlind woman in a blue dress. Below that is a group photo, Samantha sitting on the left, then the DeafBlind man in the blue hoodie holding up the ILY sign, next the DeafBlind man in a black shirt and glasses, next the DeafBlind woman with the blue dress, and lastly a DeafBlind woman holding the Tatum T1 with a black shirt and grey pants. The last photo on the bottom left is the DeafBlind man in black with glasses and the DeafBlind woman in the blue dress holding the Tatum T1 with another DeafBlind woman in a black shirt gives a thumbs up in the background.]

We are so grateful to have taken part in the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center's MassNextGen Initiative! For the past year, we have been coached by Massachusetts' top investors, scientists, and experts in the life science ecosystem. All cumulated in an incredible night hosted at MassChallenge, we cannot be more grateful for the community and support MassNextGen has given us. A special shout out to Carla Reimold and Katya Mantrova, MD PhD for this incredible opportunity within MLSC. Additionally to two coaches, Catherine Connelly-Perry, MBA, CA-AM and Laurel Sweeney who opened their network within the DeafBlind community to help further our customer research and exploration. And of course, the biggest thank you and congratulations to the rest of the MassNextGen cohort, Diana Mojahed, Katerina Chatzi, PhD, Ananya Zutshi, and Karen Cronholm! This cohort was especially meaningful and impactful because of the perspectives and unwavering support we all brought to the table! [A four photo collage with the MassNextGen and Massachusetts Life Science Center logos in the bottom right. In the top left photo, Samantha Johnson talks with Asha Patel and Sophia Kambanis in front of a monitor reading Tatum Robotics with a photo of the Tatum T1. Next, is a photo of Jonathan Markowitz smiling with a woman at a table that has food, coke cans, and the Tatum T1. Below, is a group photo of Samantha, Diana, Katerina, Ananya, and Karen in front of white screens with logos. Next to that photo is a photo of Samantha presenting next to a large monitor that reads 'Solution' with a large green graphic and a photo of Jaimi using the Tatum T1, a woman is sitting in the photo listening.]

🎉 One year at Tatum Robotics! It’s been an incredible journey working alongside such a talented team. Big thanks to my boss, Samantha Johnson and everyone at Tatum for creating an amazing environment to learn and grow. Here’s to many more!