Adaptive Toy Car Project

Description:

In collaboration with physical therapy, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering students and staff various ride-on toy cars were retrofitted for children with disabilities. These cars are meant to aid young children in building familiarity with wheelchair-like (joystick) controls before transitioning to an actual wheelchair. These cars also double as a social aid, allowing children to interact with one another in ways they would not have been able to do so previously.

Responsibilities:

• Consult with child, family, and physical therapist to inform design

• Outline specific physical constraints of child

  • Trunk, neck, spine, and arm support

• Modify car to accommodate adjusted seating

• Build and secure seat and support structure

• Collaborate with electrical engineering students to accommodate and setup motor controller, micro controller, and controls

• Present car to family and make final adjustments