Projects

Adaptive Recreation

Through collaboration with the School of Theatre & Dance and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, adaptive recreational devices have been designed and developed to assist people with disabilities and amputees in various recreational activities, including dance and exercise.

Hands-Free Wheelchair

A completely hands-free operated wheelchair that responds to one's body motion was developed primarily for use in the performing arts; however its unique user interface offers endless possibilities in the fields of assistive devices for daily activities and rehabilitation. This powered wheelchair modification provides greater social interaction possibilities, increases one's independence, and advances the state of the art of sports and recreation, as well as assistive and rehabilitative technologies overall. Various prototypes of this project have been developed, including a mechanical design and a sensor-based design. A new design is underway that utilizes an iPod or other hand held devices to control the wheelchair using the gyroscope capabilities of these devices.

Omni-directional Rotating Platform for Dance

This project involves the design, development, and testing of a stand-alone Omni-directional mobile dance platform with an independently rotating top. A robust, remote controlled, compact, transportable, and inexpensive moving platform with a rotating top is designed. This platform adds an additional choreographic element to create a unique style of dancing, which involves the use of a variety of mobility devices and performers including dancers with disabilities. The platform is designed to hold up to five-hundred pounds with an independently rotating top while the base moves forward/backward, sideways, or diagonally using Omni-directional wheels. The existing design has a removable top surface, folding wing sections to collapse the unit down to fit through an average size doorway, and detachable ramp ends for wheelchair access. The top of the platform is driven by a compact gear train designed to deliver maximum torque within the limited space.

Terminal Devices for Prostheses Users

Various terminal devices have been developed to assist prostheses users in their recreational activities. These terminal devices are designed to improve the user's capabilities to play Golf, kayaking, rock climbing and other activities.