Design and Development of a Pediatric Therapeutic Device Using NASA’s Systems Engineering Processes

Final Paper pdf 631KB

The Rural Infant Stimulation Environment (RISE) School of Huntsville requested a senior-class Capstone Design Team (CDT) from the University of Alabama (UAH) Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Department design and manufacture a device that will assist a RISE student who possesses severe muscular weakness gain more independent mobility. The CDT is utilizing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Systems Engineering (SE) Handbook to ensure a methodical approach to the design and development of a quality product. The NASA SE Handbook will enable the CDT to learn and apply important concepts for product design and development that are practiced in industry. The CDT’s design solution, a rechargeable electric mobility platform that will incorporate the RISE student’s favored Tumble Form® seat and deploy his existing, rudimentary abilities, is ready for development. This paper will detail the design efforts and assess the educational impact of the NASA SE Handbook upon the CDT.

Author(s):

Greg Duke    
Mechanical and Aerospace Department
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
United States