Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Category: Buzz Session

Abstract: Robotic devices are essential assistance to people with disabilities in their everyday lives, ranging from door openers and smart homes to power wheelchairs. These devices are becoming easier to build with standard components (e.g., microcontrollers, motor drivers, user interface, and actuators), requiring basic technical skills to translate concepts into functional solutions. This session will describe the design process and include hands-on demonstration of simple robotic devices to help people with disabilities in limitless ways.

Learning Outcomes: Explain what typical components used in robotic devices are and what they do. Identify examples of use cases where a simple robotic device could be used. Feel comfortable making a preliminary design for a single-action robot.