Independent Mobility Platform

As part of a SEED Senior Design project, I led a team to build a powered attachment that gives young children more independence in a standard wheelchair. Early concepts lifted the whole wheelchair onto a platform, but we realized the wheelchair's own casters could stay in use, so the final design lifts only the two main drive wheels half an inch clear of the ground and takes over propulsion through its own powered wheels. Designed to fit a range of wheelchair sizes, enabling secure, custom-fit attachment. Tuned acceleration, deceleration, and turning curves to keep motion smooth and predictable, critical for safely carrying a young child. Collaborated with an electrical engineer to implement a 5-degree-of-freedom joystick for intuitive, precise control. Successfully tested with a 5-year-old user, the platform stayed light and portable enough for a parent to attach and remove easily.  The project received the SEED Innovative Solution Award.