Engineers Make a Difference With Human-Powered Vehicles

By: Julie Stern
Posted: November 18, 2014

The engineering department on October 26 celebrated five years of designing, testing, and building human-powered vehicles for clients in need. Last year’s client, Lena Campbell, received her vehicle at the celebration.

Campbell has ataxic cerebral palsy, making muscle coordination in her legs a challenge. Synthesizing the best design ideas contributed from the program’s 120 sophomores, junior engineering majors Ryan Taylor and Andy Perry built Campbell’s human-powered vehicle, a bicycle powered by a leg press, to help her be more physically active.“Our goals were to give Lena the opportunity for more independence, exercise, and the personal freedom of transportation,” said Perry.“I see myself continuing to create prototypes and focusing on sustainable designs. Wherever I go or whatever I do, I just want to make the world a better and safer place. I definitely think that's what being a Madison Engineer entails.” - Ryan Taylor

Each year, the engineering department works with Overcoming Barriers, a mentoring program that partners JMU students with community members who have disabilities, to identify potential clients who could benefit from having a human-powered vehicle. Sophomore engineering students spend fall semester getting to know the client and working through conceptual design. In the spring semester, they build beta prototypes.

Last year, assistant professor and project director Dr. Robert Nagel selected Taylor and Perry to consider all of the beta prototypes and build a final prototype customized to fit Campbell. The students worked through the summer and finished their design this fall.

“The biggest challenge we faced was redesigning and testing a system that would work for Lena,” said Perry. “We determined that she had too much difficulty spinning regular bicycle pedals in a circle and leg-press style prototypes worked better for her.”

Campbell tried out her new bike at the October 26 celebration, riding along with previous clients and their human-powered vehicles.

“I feel like we helped give Lena independence,” said Taylor, “and being able to do something on her own gives her a sense of accomplishment.”  

The human-powered vehicle project started when assistant professor Dr. Tom Moran, founder of Overcoming Barriers, approached associate professors Dr. Eric Pappas and Dr. Olga Pierrakos with the idea. Dr. Moran wanted a human-powered vehicle to help him with his cerebral palsy. Dr. Pappas and Dr. Pierrakos decided to incorporate the project in their sophomore design course classes, and have continued the project each year since.

Campbell continues working to improve her fitness and training on her new bike at Godwin Hall as a new set of students begins to design prototypes for the next client. For Taylor and Perry, this is just a new beginning.

“I see myself continuing to create prototypes and focusing on sustainable designs,” said Taylor. “Wherever I go or whatever I do, I just want to make the world a better and safer place. I definitely think that's what being a Madison Engineer entails.”