Senior design projects in assistive technology: Opportunities for technology transfer

Abstract

A unique partnership was established three years ago between an engineering senior projects program and a group of sailors with disabilities known as Challenged America (CA). Renewable funding was secured for three years from the National Science Foundation for engineering students to design various adaptations for the CA fleet of racing sailboats. These modifications allow the physically challenged individuals to not only safely and independently participate in sailing, but also to compete effectively against able-bodied teams. The designs are initially selected to fill a need for the sailors, but have proven to be useful to a broader range of individuals. One example is a knot-tying device that was developed to assist sailors on the boat, but has wider applicability as a teaching tool. Assistive technology has historically involved the development of custom-designed devices for specific individuals, however an organized design effort such as that provided by the engineering senior projects enables the design of devices that serve a larger population, and provide opportunities for technology transfer. Students learn from their involvement in the disclosure and patenting process which is relatively straightforward for these designs. While eventual commercialization may not yield a substantial profit, the product focus of the development effort benefits both the students and the disabled community. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2007.