|
Candidate
Team Projects - 2023
General Team Project
Information
- Team Projects are for suitable for
three students taking the course for three credit units.
- These projects will be "pitched" in
class on Thursday, January 12th
- Project suggestor email addresses
will be communicated to the student project team who chooses the
project.
- "Recommended Skillset" is dependent
on the selected design concept.
Index of Project Titles
(year originally suggested)
Back to top
 Projects with Abby
-
2023 Biosketch: Abby
is an artist, a retired art teacher (grades K-College), a clinical social
worker, and a computer graphic designer. She is an individual with multiple
disabilities: a mobility challenge, a bipolar disorder, and a visual
impairment. She is passionate about making a difference and advocating for
individual rights. She has been a chair of the
Consumer
Advisory Council and formerly represented consumers on the Board of
Directors of the National Alliance on
Mental Illness (NAMI) in Santa Clara County and has volunteered in their
Connection
Recovery Support Group and the
Peer
PAL Program. She has also volunteered for the
Vista Center for the Blind and Visually
Impaired, has been on the
Board of Directors
of the Silicon Valley Independent Living
Center (SVILC), has successfully been involved in litigation to preserve
the rights of service dog recipients when they are hospitalized, and has
presented Poster Sessions and spoken at conferences including NAMI’s
National Convention, California ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) 2015
Conference celebrating 25 years, the California Council of the Blind’s
Annual Convention, Cal Poly Tech Women
in Business, Defining Her Future
2021 panel on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Abby has mentored
elementary school students with art lessons and partnered with high school
students in programs for Project Invent
and Design the Future. She has
been interviewed for a
podcast
by Project Invent. Abby invented a board game for inpatient psychiatric
units. She has a successor service dog, Nathan, from
Canine Partners for Life (CPL) in
Cochranville, PA, and has presented
Service Dog
Demonstrations at Abilities Expo in 2019. Abby has supported products that
increase functionality for individuals with disabilities ("How I overcame
vision loss with eSight" - video
4:30). She is presently a graduate student at California State University Northridge (CSUN)
studying Assistive
Technology Studies and Human Services, has presented at CSUN’s 38th
Assistive Technology Conference on “How to Teach Compassion with Assistive
Technology", and has joined the faculty of the Assistive Technology Engineering
graduate program at CSUN.
 Back to top
Communication Aid for
Nathan
-
Background: Abby
is an older adult who relies on a powered wheelchair for her mobility and her
service dog, Nathan, to help her with daily tasks.
-
Problem: "A
major problem is that people engage a service dog as their 'dog fix',
disregarding the dog's owner and interferring with the dog's service
activities."
-
Aim: Explore
designs for a device that would communicate service dog etiquette by "speaking
for Nathan", informing people that he is "on the job" and not available to be
petted or engage in human-canine conversation.
-
Design
Criteria:
- Easy access to
activation mechanism on right side of Abby's wheelchair
- Easy activation
while operating wheelchair and controlling Nathan
- Loud enough for
people to be alerted in noisy environments
- Supports several
vocalizations and volumes
- Lightweight and
portable
-
Links:
-
Recommended
Skillset: Mechanical Engineering, Electronics
|
| Back to top
Alert Project for
Abby
-
Background:
"Another project I am interested in is some kind of an audible alert that I
could easily press to alert people that I am passing. I had this idea for
Project Invent two summers ago, and the
solution one team was working on was playing a recording of my voice very loud
saying "Passing By", "Coming Through", or "Excuse Me". My thought is that a
device would attach to the right arm of the WHILL so that I would have easy
access to press on it. I have looked at bicycle bells, horns, etc. The problem
I have is using both hands with Nathan and the WHILL, and not being able to
hold something else. Bicycle bells are for rounded handlebars, and don't fit
the WHILL arm, plus you have to turn them, press something small on them, or
some other way of getting the noise that I can't do. The noise has to be loud
enough for people to hear it."
-
Problem: In
crowded spaces, people are not often aware of a wheelchair user trying to
negotiate the "walking traffic", increasing the possibility of
collisions.
-
"This is a huge problem
everywhere I go outside in the community, or in buildings. Many times an
individual's attention is not on where they are walking, or how their walking
patterns may affect someone coming from behind in a powered
wheelchair."
-
Aim: Explore
designs to alert people in Abby's path.
-
Design
Criteria:
- Easy access to
activation mechanism on right side of Abby's wheelchair
- Easy activation
while operating wheelchair and controlling Nathan
- Loud enough for
people to be alerted in noisy environments
- Several alert modes
and volumes
-
Other:
-
Links:
-
Recommended
Skillset: Mechanical Engineering, Electronics
|
| Back to top
Rain Shield
Project
-
Background: Abby
is an older adult who relies on a powered wheelchair for her mobility and her
service dog, Nathan, to help her with daily tasks.
-
Problem:
Wheelchair users and their mobility devices must be protected from the rain as
being wet is uncomfortable and water can damage electronics.
-
Aim: Explore
designs for a suitable covering (a garment or wheelchair / scooter accessory)
to protect Abby and her mobility device.
-
Design
Criteria:
- Suitable for use
with Abby's scooter and Whill
- Aesthetic
design
- Collapsible and
stowable
- Easy to put on and
remove and/or easy to deploy and retract
-
Search Link:
"rain protection for wheelchair user"
-
Recommended
Skillset: Mechanical Engineering, Shop
|
| Back to top
Mobile Laptop and iPad
Computer Support for Abby
-
Background: Abby
is an older adult who relies on a powered wheelchair for her mobility and her
service dog, Nathan, to help her with daily tasks.
-
Problem: Abby is
often on-the-go and away from her office desk, visiting coffee shops, malls,
restaurants, classrooms, and parks, but may still require access to her MacBook
Pro or iPad. Resting her computer device on her lap does not provide security
from falling or offer ergonomic positioning.
-
Aim: Explore
solutions that would enable Abby to securely and comfortably use her computer
devices while away from a desk.
-
Design Criteria:
The solution must:
- Offer a secure,
stable, and adjustable support for her laptop or iPad
- Attach to her
wheelchairs (WHILL Model M and Model Ci) or scooter
- Swing aside during
wheelchair transfers
- Be lightweight and
compact
- Fit in her
backpack
- Be easy to use -
install, remove, and transport
-
Link:
-
Recommended
Skillset: Mechanical Engineering, Shop
|
| Back to top
Accessible Storage
Solution
-
Problem:
Wheelchair users, like Abby require storage space for many large and small
accessories such as a coat, laptop, keys, cellphone, water bottle, and items
for service dogs including treats, food, blanket, leash, etc. Current storage
solutions are attached behind the wheelchair, which makes retrieving items
challenging.
-
Aim: Explore
designs for an accessible storage solution.
-
Design
Criteria:
- Easy to pack and
retrieve items
- Compartments for
large and small items
- Provide security
from theft
-
Other:
-
Search Link:
"wheelchair storage"
-
Recommended
Skillset: Mechanical Engineering, Shop
|
| Back to top
Leash Project for Abby and
Nathan
-
Problem:
Wheelchair and scooter users like Abby can have a difficult time simultaneously
operating their mobility device and controlling their service
animal.
Problem:
"Operating my Whill wheelchair while controlling my service dog Nathan with a
leash is a real challenge. The leash has to be able to go on either side, or in
front and back of the chair, while at the same time be short enough to avoid
getting caught in the front wheels or the arm rests. I was recently at IKEA,
and the leash I was using got twisted around one of the front wheels under the
wheel cover. This is a dangerous situation for me as well as Nathan. As he is
with me wherever I go, this presents a continual problem in our lives." -
Abby
-
Aim: Explore
ways to make it easier for Abby to operate her wheelchair and control
Nathan.
-
Design
Criteria:
- The design should
not alter or permanently deface or damage the physical structure of the
wheelchair.
- The customization
should be able to easily be installed, removed, changed, cleaned, and washed by
the use
- The design should be
inexpensive and easy to fabricate.
- Consider designs
that would also enhance wheelchair visibility at night, especially when
crossing streets.
-
Links:
-
Recommended
Skillset: Mechanical Engineering, Shop
|
|
Back to top
Bass
Reduction Project for Cat
-
-
Background: Cat is
a Stanford employee who has nerve damage in her right shin.
-
Problem: Cat would
like to attend and enjoy music concerts, but the bass notes at these events
produce vibrations which cause pain in her lower leg.
-
Aim: Explore
designs that would enable Cat to enjoy concerts more.
-
Design
Criteria:
- Portable
- Unobtrusive
- Wearable
- Allowed into a concert
as an non-contrabanded item
-
Recommended
Skillset: Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, depends on selected design
concept
-
Links:
|
Back to top
Aesthetic Prosthetic Leg Project for Mary
-
-
Background: Mary
is a graduate student pursuing degrees in Aerospace Engineering & Computer
Science. She is a member of Pi Beta Phi, an official Stanford tour guide, and a
member of the Division 1 reigning Lightweight National Champion Rowing team. As
a below-the-knee amputee, life has naturally pushed Mary to think outside the
box. She is the proud owner of several high-performance, light-weight carbon
fiber legs and believes being an amputee has given her a uniqueperspective and
helped shape her problem-solving skills. Most recently, Mary was part of a Zero
Gravity flight to research accessible space flight solutions called Mission
AstroAccess. Looking forward, she would like to be a ParaAstronaut while
lowering the barrier to entry for human spaceflight.
-
Problem: "I would
like to have the ability to 'dress up' my prosthetic leg through coverings to
match my outfit. I envision having a cool sleek cover to provide structure
under a pant leg and protection to my prosthetic on a daily
basis."
-
Aim: Explore cool
prosthetic leg cover designs for Mary.
-
Design
Criteria:
- No modifications to
prosthetic leg
- Easy to put on and
remove
- Able to be
cleaned
- Several color and
fashion options - "I tend to like the all black carbon fiber look"
-
Recommended
Skillset: Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, depends on selected design
concept
-
Link:
|
Back to top
Projects with Olenka at the Magical Bridge Playground
Accessible and Inclusive Playground Attractions
-
-
Background: The
Magical Bridge Playground is
recognized as the nation's most innovative accessible and socially inclusive
playground. It is designed to delight the many people who make up our
community, including the 1 in 4 living with a visible or invisible disability
who are typically overlooked in the creation of public playgrounds. It is a
multigenerational play space with areas for respite, along with thoughtful
programs which include
Kindness
Ambassadors. The original playground was spearheaded by Palo Alto citizen
volunteer and former tech executive, Olenka (Villarreal). Along with dozens of
volunteers and 0.8 acres of underutilized public land in Mitchell Park, she was
determined to create the most magical playground to bridge the gap between
those with and without disabilities in such a seamless way that everyone would
love it. Located at
600
East Meadow Drive in Palo Alto, the volunteers raised $4.2M in private
funds to showcase how a truly inclusive playground creates a welcoming spirit
for a community. Magical Bridge Playground is adjacent to
AbilityPath and close to
Ada's Cafe and the
Mitchell Park
Library.
-
The
playground
opened in April 2015 and enjoys an average of 25,000 visitors a month. Many
are local families, while others come from long distances.
-
After this playground
was completed, Magical Bridge
Foundation was formed in 2016 with a mission to advocate for more inclusive
play spaces and programs that consider the needs of all ages and all abilities.
The foundation now has 12 new destination playgrounds under construction, and
is also developing an exciting plan for elementary school playgrounds to put
more magic into recess! Besides Palo Alto, Redwood City, Addison Elementary
School and CuriOdyssey Museum and Zoo are
now proud to have a Magical Bridge of their own. International sites are also
underway.
-
Problem: The
park's play equipment has been well-received, but some aspects of the play
areas could be modified for better access. In addition, suggestions for
replacement play areas are sought to update the park with innovative
installations every few years. And as new Playgrounds are planned and
constructed, there are ongoing opportunities to design new features and refine
existing designs to be accessible to everyone regardless of their
abilities.
-
Aim: Explore
designs to improve access to and navigation around the playground, as well as
to create new play and educational experiences incorporating multiple senses,
actions, and outcomes for all playground users and visitors, especially those
with visual impairments and diminished fine motor skills.
-
Design
Criteria:
- Designs should be
durable, fun, and safe for everyone - accommodating children and parents with
disabilities - and be magical for all ages and all abilities.
- Project prototypes
could be scale models to facilitate their construction and
transportation.
- Designs that
incorporate electronics should be low-voltage or solar-powered.
-
Recommended
Skillset: Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, depends on selected design
concept
-
Links:
|
Back to top
Projects with Danny
-
Background: Danny is a
wheelchair user from Los Gatos with cerebral palsy. He experiences limited
upper body strength, grip and vision impairments, and diminished hand and
finger dexterity.
|
Back to top
Water Bowl for Danny's Service Dog Korey
- Problem: It is
difficult for Danny to care for the water needs of his service dog, Korey. His
limited upper body range of motion, weak grip strength, and impaired vision
prevent him from identifying a low water level in the bowl and filling the bowl
to the proper level.
-
Aim: Explore
designs that would enable Danny to independently care for Korey's hydration
needs.
-
Design
Criteria:
- Provides an
indication of a low water level condition
- Provides an
indication to prevent overfilling
- Operation does not
require Danny to bend over
-
Suggestion: The
design can be an adaption to a commercial product.
-
Recommended
Skillset: Mechanical Engineering, Shop, Electronics
-
Links:
|
|
Back to top
Leash Project for Danny and Korey
-
Problem:
Wheelchair users like Danny can have a difficult time simultaneously operating
their mobility device and controlling their service animal.
Danny has difficulty
putting on Korey's leash. In addition, when Korey walks with Danny, he often
lifts his arm when walking, which makes it a bit uncomfortable for Korey
because there is no slack on the leash. When in his manual wheelchair, it's
difficult for him to both handle Korey and propel the
wheelchair.
-
Aim: Explore
ways to make it easier for Danny to operate his wheelchair and control
Korey.
-
Design
Criteria:
- The design should
not alter or permanently deface or damage the physical structure of the
wheelchair.
- The customization
should be able to easily be installed, removed, changed, cleaned, and washed by
the use
- The design should be
inexpensive and easy to fabricate.
- Consider designs
that would also enhance wheelchair visibility at night, especially when
crossing streets.
-
Recommended
Skillset: Mechanical Engineering, Shop
-
Links:
|
Back to top
iPhone Project with Danny
- Problem: Danny
experiences multiple challenges using his iPhone when seated in his wheelchair
including convenient storage when it isn't being used, retrieving it when he is
being called or when he wishes to call someone, how best to hold and position
it securely when in use, how to stow it after a call, and how to pick it up if
it falls. Danny also has trouble positioning his iPhone on its wireless
charger.
-
Aim: Explore
designs that would enable Danny to independently use his iPhone.
-
Design
Criteria:
- Easy for Danny to
use when seated in his wheelchair
- Prevents iPhone from
falling
- Optional recharging
capability
-
Suggestion: The
design can employ commercial products.
-
Recommended
Skillset: Mechanical Engineering, Shop
-
Links:
|
|
Back to top
Laptray for Danny
-
Problem: Danny's
wheelchair does not have a laptray or a place to store items such as his cell
phone, clothing, wallet, and plates of food. Items placed on his lap usually
fall off when he propels his wheelchair.
-
Aim: Explore
ways for Danny to easily access and store his personal items on his wheelchair
and retrieve them when they fall to the floor.
-
Design
Criteria:
- Danny must be able
to independently deploy and stow the laptray
-
Recommended
Skillset: Mechanical Engineering, Shop
-
Links:
|
|
|
Projects Suggested by Dave:
|
Back to top
Designing Your
Afterlife
-
Background:
Death is the most severe form of disability as one is no longer able to
interact with people or physical objects in the living world. What remains are
only frozen static artifacts - images, writings, and the stories of others.
Gone are one's personality, beliefs, expertise, humor, vision, memories,
insights, and intellect.
-
Problem: With
one's passing, it is impossible to provide a full and accurate representation
of whom they were, what they believed in, and how they acted. The recollections
of family and friends fade and disappear with time, leaving the departed one's
legacy at the mercy of the living.
-
Aim: Explore
ways to preserve one's essence after death. In the technology extreme, this
might manifest itself as an interactive system that responds to queries,
retells stories, relates experiences, shares expertise, and expresses humor.
The pre-dead user would be able to create and program his / her eternal
computer-based persona before her / his demise.
-
Other:
-
Recommended
Skillset: Various, depends on chosen solution
-
Links:
|
|
Back to top
Creative
Expression
-
Background: Most
everyone has a desire to be creative through activities such as writing,
painting, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, quilting, photography, singing, dancing,
and music.
-
Problem:
Existing tools supporting creativity are often lacking for people with
disabilities. Movement difficulties may prevent an individual from fully
participating in their chosen activity.
-
Aim: Explore
ways to enhance creative expression for people with disabilities. This could
include the creation of new activities or fabrication of new
tools.
-
Suggestions:
- Convert the user's
existing assistive technology device into a creative "paintbrush" or "musical
instrument"
- Use non-traditional
inputs such as residual movements or brain waves
- Adapt or create
instruments for musicians with disabilities
- One-Handed Musical
Instrument (OHMI) Competition
-
Other:
-
Recommended
Skillset: Various, depends on chosen solution
-
Links:
|
|
Back to top
Student-defined
Projects
-
- Meet with the course
instructor to discuss and agree upon the specifics of the project. Interview,
observe, and discuss assistive technology problems with an individual with a
disability or older adult. Address their desire to participate in one of the
following activities by designing an adaptation to an existing device / tool or
creating a new, more useful one. Projects could address:
-
-
Activities
of Daily Living - cooking, showering or bathing, dressing, cleaning,
housework, yard work, employment, education, shopping, commuting,
etc
-
Sports and
Exercise - walking, running, indoor and outdoor sports, etc
-
Leisure
Activities and Hobbies - collecting, model making, crafts, board games
& videogames, etc
|
|
|
Back to top
Title
-
Background:
-
Problem:
-
Aim:
-
Design Criteria:
-
Links:
|
Back to
top
|
