Bernie the Wobbly Dashboard Doll
Origins of the idea
We had an idea to produce something that was both fun and reminded people living with Parkinson’s Disease as well as their loved ones to be positive. So when we brainstormed ideas about an object that people might purchase to support our movement we came up with the dashboard doll.
We thought we could put a modern twist on an item that was popular during the 1970s – some of you might remember the original Wackel-Elvis (German for ‘wobbly Elvis’) or even the Wackel-Dackel (German for ‘wobbly sausage dog’).
When we told our friend Bernie about the idea he loved it, quickly offering his services as the model.
Shane and the team @ Wysiwyg 3D
Finding a manufacturer who was able to bring our dashboard doll to life was no simple task. We were incredibly fortunate to be referred to Shane Rolton, Managing Director of Wysiwyg 3D. Wysiwyg 3D are experts in 3D scanning, printing and digitisation.
Shane listened with interest to our idea and shared with us the fact that his grandfather had lived with Parkinson’s. He saw an opportunity to use the company’s expertise to contribute to a positive cause.
The making of Bernie
One portable 3D scanner and 10 minutes later, Bernie had been translated into data – a high resolution digital ‘minime’.
Using the 3D model, Wysiwyg created a large prototype to see how we might then shrink Bernie into more of a dashboard sized doll.
Several smaller versions were then printed and modified to work with a little spring and provide a suitable level of wobble. Following a few circuits around the block in the car and the road test was complete.
Welcome to the newest member of our team!
