DSU AdapT Lab modifies car for Lifescape

A collaborative project between Dakota State University’s Dr. Justin Blessinger, and senior Nolan Rohl, is helping to meet the mobility needs of children. Blessinger is head of the AdapT Lab at the Madison Cyber Labs, working on incorporating technology into adaptive equipment so that people in the disability community can achieve barrier-free living. Part of this effort has involved working with the national Go Baby Go program, which looks to modify toy ride-on cars for children with mobility disabilities to give them a chance to play and socialize with their peers more easily. 

Blessinger says that some modifications are straightforward, but some require more creative solutions, like the most recent build. They needed to locate all the driving mechanisms in only one joystick and keep the Bluetooth remote functioning for the parents’ use.

Design schematics are available on the internet that would meet some of these requirements using a Raspberry Pi, which is a small programmable computer, but it also created some limitations. So Blessinger and Rohl designed a non-digital method, using 3D printing and a wooden piece. This made the car more robust and faster, and kept the functionality in the remote.

Rohl sees the project less as an exercise in engineering creativity. He said it was more rewarding to see a child get into the car and realize that she could move around. 

 Blessinger adds that, because it was a unique solution, they are excited to share the plans online.