Vollus

Was es macht

Vollus is a 3D‑printed, hand‑mounted multitool that lets you switch tools with a single motion. It solves the hassle of searching through bulky toolboxes by keeping the essentials right on your hand for quick household DIY and light repairs.

Deine Inspiration

Many households have toolboxes or drawers filled with heavy metal tools in multiple sizes, making quick fixes such as changing a remote’s batteries or installing décor time‑consuming and inconvenient. These tools are overengineered for typical household tasks and can be unsafe, especially around children. Vollus was also designed for people in smaller living spaces, like hostels or rentals, who need a safer, lighter, and easier‑to‑store alternative. It bridges the gap between traditional hand tools and multitools, offering an ergonomic, modular solution for everyday DIY and quick repairs.

So funktioniert es

Vollus is fully 3D‑printed with no adhesives and holds up to five hand tools such as pliers, a tape dispenser, a saw, and various screwdrivers and wrenches, plus three mini measuring tools integrated into the main base. Each tool is ergonomically redesigned for single‑handed use from the palm. The main base, mounted on the back of your hand, contains a rotating tool wheel. Pressing a side button activates a barrel‑and‑cam mechanism that converts linear motion into rotation, while a custom spring resets the button. A bevel gear drives a Geneva mechanism, which precisely advances the wheel by one‑fifth of a turn per press and locks it in place. Once selected, a tool slides down a rail to the palm side of your hand. To return it, simply twist your wrist and gravity guides it back. All tools are modular and interchangeable, and the standardized connector allows users to design and share their own custom tools.

Designprozess

After identifying the key issues, we aimed to design a creative, ergonomic, and modular solution. We started with in‑depth research on arm‑ and hand‑mounted products, noting potential improvements over existing multitools. During the ideation stage, we created cardboard mock‑ups to test different mounting methods on the hand and arm, discovering that the back of the hand offered the most ergonomic option. We then divided the design into two parts: the tools and the tool holder (main base), standardizing the tools’ size to make them modular and compact. For the main base, we explored various ways to switch between tools, drawing inspiration from a microscope’s rotating lens and roller coaster rails. We also considered the flipping motion of a pen spinning on a thumb, which influenced how the tools slide into place. To simplify the design, we made it operable with a single button that cycles through the tools. Vollus fills the gap between these two approaches. It combines the ergonomic advantages of standard hand tools with the compact, modular design of a multitool. Designed specifically for common household tasks and quick repairs, Vollus is intuitive, lightweight, and customizable, bringing practicality and safety together in a single tool system.

Warum es anders ist

Traditional hand tools such as screwdrivers and wrenches are built for heavy‑duty tasks and are often overengineered for everyday household repairs or DIY projects. Many are made from metal, which can pose safety risks for children or less experienced users. Meanwhile, many multitools, like Swiss knives or credit‑card‑style tools, prioritize compactness and durability but sacrifice ergonomics and comfort. They often include tool options that are rarely used and lack the ones most needed for household fixes. Vollus fills the gap between these two approaches. It combines the ergonomic advantages of standard hand tools with the compact, modular design of a multitool. Designed specifically for common household tasks and quick repairs, Vollus is intuitive, lightweight, and customizable, bringing practicality and safety together in a single tool system.

Pläne für die Zukunft

In the future, we plan to design a dedicated 3D‑printed container or carrier for Vollus, or make the system foldable for easier transport. We also aim to make it adjustable to fit a wider range of hand sizes and further reduce material usage to improve printing efficiency. We intend to develop additional tool modules to expand its functionality. Ultimately, we hope Vollus can become a tool system that truly works for everyone and helps make daily life simpler.

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