How Engineering Turned Into a Life-Changing Gift

Most students are probably happy and relieved when they finish a huge project, however, Purdue University mechanical engineering students got an extra-special treat at the end of their senior capstone project last spring.

The team designed a customized electric toy car for a 2-year-old with a rare disorder called Rett syndrome. When they gave her the car, the excitement on her face was magical. 

“Delivering the final car to Blaire and her family was truly life-changing,” said Lucas Stierwalt, a mechanical engineering student at Purdue University in Indianapolis. “Seeing the direct impact of our work made every late night and challenge along the way worth it.” 

In addition to the thrill of seeing their customer’s delight, the students also got some real-world engineering experience that they’ll take into their careers moving forward. All of this was possible by the local chapter of GoBabyGo, an international program that aims to increase the mobility of children with developmental delays.

Toyota Material Handling donates the toy cars to the program and provides parts as well as technical assistance to the students.   
 

A collaboration that blends engineering and empathy

Physical therapy (PT) professor Sara Davis brought the program to Indianapolis in 2015, where PT and engineering students work together each semester to customize cars that meet the specific needs of local children.

Last semester, a little girl named Blaire was the recipient of the car built by the Purdue students. Shortly after her first birthday, Blaire was diagnosed with Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts her growth, development, mobility, and speech.

After a meeting with her parents, the students realized they needed to design a car that could adapt to Blaire’s changing needs over time.  

“We made several key modifications to the car to better suit Blaire’s needs,” Stierwalt said. “Our primary focus was creating a seat that could be adjusted, as well as an adjustable steering wheel column. We also modified the car’s length by cutting it in half and adding a frame extension manufactured by Toyota, allowing for better adjustability and more legroom.” 

“Finally, we mounted everything back together, adding personal touches like decorations and custom stickers,” he said.

The students created many custom parts and even had the opportunity to design, model, and print the adjustable steering wheel shaft. An accelerator button was also added to the steering wheel, which was easier for Blaire to use than a foot pedal.  

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The project taught some very important lessons, Stierwalt said. “I believe there are many ways to approach a problem, and this project gave my teammates and me the opportunity to explore multiple solutions for Blaire.” 

From classroom lessons to real-world impact

“We developed and tested several designs for the car seat and steering column, which proved to be a valuable learning experience,” he said. 

“In many classroom settings, students are often taught to look for a single ‘right’ answer to engineering challenges. However, projects like this emphasize creativity, persistence, and exploration, skills that I will take with me into the workforce,” Stierwalt added. 

Blaire’s mother Nola said when she and her husband learned of the GoBabyGo program, they were very interested in participating and giving Blaire the same sense of independence as her older sister Ellie.  

“The idea of giving Blaire the experience of driving through our neighborhood in a car that is adapted to her needs was really exciting,” Nola said.

To add on to all the practical modifications to the car, the students also had some fun with their design, adding LED lights and a soundbox that plays the “Bluey” TV show theme song. They even added a QR code to the car that links to a Rett syndrome fundraising website.

Needless to say, Blaire absolutely loves the car—and so does her 5-year-old sister.  

“Ellie thinks it’s super cool. She’s like, ‘I want to go in it!’” Nola said.  

Ellie’s parents quickly reminded her that she has her own pink Jeep and the sisters have a great time riding around together.  

“Watching Blaire light up with excitement as she cruises around in her car has been such a joy,” Nola said. “It’s given her a sense of independence and freedom that’s so special at this age, just feeling the wind in her hair and having fun outside.” 

“It’s more than just a toy; it’s an experience every child should have access to. We’re so grateful for the GoBabyGo program that makes playtime both accessible and empowering.” 

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Overall, it’s a win-win situation for the children and the students. Engineers rarely get to see the impact of their work on the end user, mentioned engineering professor John Stang, who teaches the senior capstone class. That’s what makes the GoBabyGo project a unique experience for engineering students.   

“This project taught the students that there is high value in customer feedback and that engineering can be very rewarding if you are able to touch the ‘human side’ of the project,” Stang said.

“I have been involved with 21 of these GoBabyGo projects, and the feeling that the project teams describe when their customers first experience their own custom-built car—the ‘wow’ factor is 100 percent smiles that are genuine and deep.” 
   
Claudia Hoffacker is an independent writer from Minneapolis.