After two surgeries in two years to repair a torn meniscus in her left knee, robotics magnet senior Sarah Crosby struggled to get around the school, which sparked an idea in her robotics class.
Robotics Magnet director Max Morales said the idea for a wheelchair that would resemble a classroom desk started last spring as a senior project. It evolved from watching Sarah limp to class – she was always leaving early and arriving early with a student helping her carry her books.
“We are hoping to make transportation between classes easier and faster than if they were on crutches,” senior Tim Foster said.
Sarah took charge of the project and worked to keep everyone on task. It fits in the elevator and has a slot in the back for crutches.
“The chair is our main focus this year,” Sarah said. “It started off as just a metal plate and has turned into a full functioning desk.”
The robotics students used materials readily available to them. They used an old desk they found in the garbage, and the majority of the parts used for the computer were recycled from old battle-bots.
“We decided it would be easier to use a Wii nun chuck to control it because it took up less table space,” senior Grant Bisell said.
Although they have had setbacks and technical problems, the students said the project has been worth it.
“It’s been sweat, blood and tears,” senior Tim White said.
Wheelchair Desk from Talon Online on Vimeo.