This summer, 18 LigerBots took part in an eight week program through Northeastern University’s Enabling Engineering internship. During the internship, the students helped to design and build five different projects for patients, children and nurses in the Boston area. From July 8 through August 30, teams of four to six students worked with a budget of $500.00 each and met twice a week at Northeastern. They worked with clients The Boston Home, New England Pediatric Care, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and mentors to develop inventions for particular needs.

The first project was a wheelchair radar created for a child who is blind and has cognitive challenges, who hoped to be able to move more independently. The wheelchair emitted sounds each time it approached an object, which helped alert the child of an obstacle in his way.

Another group (which included students from Newton Lazer Robotics) designed a corn-hole shooter for children with Multiple Sclerosis. The result was a switch-operated “cannon” that could be adjusted for distance.

A switch-activated, portable catapult was the design challenge for another group. This device was created for children with severe disabilities who wished to engage in activities such as corn hole, velcro darts, and water balloon launching.

The fourth project was a universal robotic arm intended to help children who do not have the use of their arms and hands to engage in activities like cooking. This arm was created to pour and stir ingredients without the need for assistance.

The final group designed a hands-free sanitary light which allows night nurses to check in on patients in poor lighting conditions.

On the last day of the program, students presented their final projects to each other to mentors, and to family and friends. The leaders of NEU commended them for their imagination, participation and hard work.