Projects

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Project Leads: Bensu Urganci and Ananya Shinde

Robert is a two year old boy with Cerebral Palsy. Due to this, he cannot walk or situp unaided. His legs are strong, but his arms do not have as much strength. He loves animals, music, trucks. For his car, we had to ensure that his legs were able to bend 90 degrees and fit his interests as well.

Here’s what we modified for his car:

5-Point Harness:

• We added a 5-point harness to keep Robert secure while allowing his arms to remain free for movement.
• This design also accommodates Robert’s growth, ensuring comfort and safety as he grows.

Adjustable Seating:

• We created additional stackable seats for the original car seat to ensure Robert’s legs stay at a 90-degree angle.
• The seats are more comfortable and can be easily velcro-ed on for a secure fit. The stackable design allows for future adjustments as Robert grows, maintaining proper posture and comfort.

Additional Support Pipe Structure:

• We added a pipe structure at the back of the car to provide extra support for the 5-point harness, enhancing stability and security.

 

Project Lead: Aaron Clarion

Elyas is a one year old boy and has cerebral palsy due to a brain injury. Because of this, his visual senses are highly impaired. However, his sense hearing and touch are heightened. He enjoys music, colorful lights, touching different textures, bouncing around, and cool cars. To that end, our project, now named Bobo’s Benz, aimed to modify the car to suit his needs.

Here’s what we did for his car:

Additional Stimulating Textures

• We’ve added three different textures to the interior of the car
  • Black felt walls and steering wheel
  • Red fur carpet flooring
  • Silver satin wrapping over the seat cushion

Memory Foam Cushion

• We’ve added a thick memory foam seat cushion for comfort and so Elyas can bounce around while in the car

Lights

• LED Lights were added under the car, under the dashboard, and on the front

Five-Point Harness

• For extra safety, we’ve also added a five-point harness to the car’s seat that is also adjustable

 

Project Lead: Gaby Gotesman

Zora is a two girl with Joubert’s Syndrome. Because of that, there is an absence or underdevelopment of the cerebellar vermis (an area of the brain that controls balance and coordination). This has led to motor delays in her movements. Since she is getting older, she has shown more interest in sitting up, playing, and interacting. For her car, we wanted to be able to help her sit upright and have fun in her car.

Here’s what we did for Zora’s car:

PVC Pipe Structure:

• We’ve built a PVC pipe structure with pool noodle padding for supporting Zora’s hips, arms, and head
• Cut and installed foam kickboard to stabilize her back

Seat

• We installed a modified 5-point harness and cushioning under the seat
• We attached a cradle around her head to keep her from rocking
• Moved the car default seat 2 inches forward

Mechanical Wheels

• We worked to build a detachable set of mechanical wheels that could be used in place of the battery powered ones

 

Project Leads: Ilisha Gomes and Jason Ho

Wilhelm is a 2 year-old boy who loves bright, contrasting lights and colors. He has Zellweger Spectrum Disorder, which causes him to also have visual impairment, hearing loss, and hypertonia. For his hypertonia, we had to consider a modification for back support, stability, and proper posture. For his hearing impairment, we looked at different ways keep him engaged using other ways beside audio and visual stimulation.

Here’s what we did for Wilhelm’s car:

Back Supports:

• We added a custom pipe structure behind the cushioned seat where we also embedded a harness to provide extra back support
• This helps address his hypertonia and provides the stability he needs while seated

Cushioned Seat w/ Harness:

• We designed and installed a cushioned seat with a secure harness for safety and comfort
• The cushion is made of foam and with a waterproof fabric casing
• This modification ensures proper posture and accommodates his lower muscle strength

Buttons and Lights:

• We added interactive buttons and lights to engage Wilhelm
• These buttons are designed to provide multisensory feedback, while considering his visual and hearing impairments

 

Project Leads: Gabe Endres

Fiona is a 3 year old girl who loves unicorns, The Lion King, and pretty lights. She has Aicardi syndrome which contributes to low muscle tone and head drop. Keeping this in min, we wanted to focus on the extra back support to make sure her head goes back more and side head rests to allow her head to lean if needed. She also is non ambulatory and has scoliosis which required more back support and then the arm rests supports as well.

Here is what we did for Fiona’s car:

Back Supports:

• We added a custom pipe structure behind the cushioned seat where we also embedded a harness to provide extra back support
• This helps address his hypertonia and provides the stability he needs while seated

Cushioned Seat w/ Harness:

• We designed and installed a cushioned seat with a secure harness for safety and comfort
• The cushion is made of foam and with a waterproof fabric casing
• This modification ensures proper posture and accommodates his lower muscle strength

Buttons and Lights:

• We added interactive buttons and lights to engage Wilhelm
• These buttons are designed to provide multi-sensory feedback, while considering his visual and hearing impairments