Assistive Technology

The Vanderbilt group organizing National Biomechanics Day event this year added video scripting and production to its skillset. The group of graduate students and undergraduates spent three months planning demonstrations, contacting schools and creating their two-minute promotional video, which won the award from the International Society for Biomechanics for… Read More

The new ankle exoskeleton design integrates into the shoe and under clothing. Submitted photo. A new lightweight, low-profile and inexpensive ankle exoskeleton could be widely used among elderly people, those with impaired lower-leg muscle strength and workers whose jobs require substantial walking or running. Developed by Vanderbilt mechanical engineers, the… Read More

Tikkun Olam Makers complete 14 design projects in 48 hours Linden strummed a guitar in the lobby of the Engineering and Science Building. The prototype of a custom guitar pick holder for his finger worked great. Zion whirled his wheelchair and kicked a round rugby ball to his TOM teammates… Read More

2018 finale of the Tikkun Olam Makers makeathon. Tikkun Olam Makers at Vanderbilt to host 48-hour makeathon starting today Teams of makers will race the clock this weekend to create innovative solutions to the problems facing those living with disabilities in Nashville and beyond. Beginning Friday, Jan. 18, at 5… Read More

Mechanical engineering PhD student Erik Lamers, center, demonstrates a low-profile ‘super-suit’ that helps prevent back pain by offloading stress on the lower back – one of a dozen demonstrations set up for National Biomechanics Day. For the second year, the School of Engineering’s biomechanics and assistive rehabilitation labs have received… Read More

It’s virtually impossible to know Mike Sasser’s left leg is a prosthetic one – after a decade of practice, he moves surely and swiftly through his busy days as a consultant and father. But when Sasser encounters uneven ground or a flight of stairs, he focuses very hard on balance,… Read More

Josh Fleck, a mechanical engineering senior, plans to pursue a PhD. (John Russell/Vanderbilt) a high school student in Bradenton, Florida, Josh Fleck knew he wanted to research and develop robotic prosthetic devices. At the time, however, he had no concept of what that research looked like. He’s more than resolved… Read More

A new Vanderbilt center that includes the dean of the School of Engineering aims to create a model pipeline to assist adults on the autism spectrum find meaningful and gainful employment while enhancing local business innovation. The Center for Autism & Innovation (VCAI) brings together academic researchers,… Read More