TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Design projects by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students have gone a long way in helping the community.
Wednesday, students were given the chance to display some of their work for the public as part of the Rose Show.
The Rose Show is an event that features nearly 100 student projects that were designed to help local families, organizations, and companies. Students of all levels took part in creating the projects. The 2022 Rose Show is the first show since 2019 to be held in person.
It was a chance to show the public how students’ innovations are making a difference.
Projects were also judged by industry representatives for the William A. Kline Innovation Award, honoring the legacy of the late Dean of Innovation, along with best department awards.
Noteworthy projects from eight academic areas, along with multidisciplinary activities and competition teams are:
Power Chair to Help Increase Mobility for Local Children: Mechanical engineering students designed a power chair for two Terre Haute children who have limited mobility due to Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease. The chair will allow the boys to move around independently. It contains an on-board power supply, speed control and the ability to switch out the seat to make the chair viable for family use throughout the boys’ physical development.
Assistive Walking Device for Reach Services’ Therapy Clinic: Biomedical engineering students have developed a device that will be used by a variety of children with low motor control of their legs in therapy sessions with a physical therapist. The device can be attached to a treadmill to help children improve their walking gait and stamina.
Automated Greenhouse: Engineering design program students have developed an automated acrylic-based indoor greenhouse that takes the daily stress of properly maintaining plants. A door automatically opens to ventilate the greenhouse and a sprinkler system activates whenever soil moisture is too low.
Helping Local Sustainability Efforts: A new greenhouse and rainwater collection system have been designed by mechanical engineering students for Terre Haute’s ReTHink organization to help bring food to community gardens.
Handcycle Transfer Station for Griffin Bike Park: A safe, reliable and weatherproof electronic intermediate station has been designed to help individuals with certain disabilities to transfer from wheelchairs or walkers to handcycles so that they can enjoy the Griffin Bike Park in southern Vigo County.
Disc Golf For Blind & Visually Impaired: Electrical and computer engineering students developed a way for students from the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired to play outdoors, just like other children, and get exercise into their daily routines.
Other projects have been developed for the local Easter Seals (digital art device) and Happiness Bag (lid life and dryer chute assistive devices) organizations, The Mill entertainment venue, Union Health (remote patient care system), and Neoteric Hovercraft (engine mount).
