2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The field of prosthetics has seen significant growth in recent years, particularly in aiding individuals with missing limbs. We aimed to expand prosthetic applications to a broader range of patients, including those with autoimmune diseases or bedridden conditions. We emphasized the educational value of core engineering principles throughout this project, including system integration, iterative design, and problem-solving.

Our structured engineering process began with defining requirements, followed by conceptual design, detailed analysis, and iterative prototyping. We focused on mechanical functionality, electrical integration, and user-centered design to ensure the device met practical needs. Our solution—a remote-controlled car with a prosthetic arm—was designed to grasp and deliver items to bedridden individuals. This project offered invaluable learning experiences in electrical engineering, programming, and mechanical design, while adhering to systematic engineering practices.

We faced several challenges, such as resolving electrical issues with the Raspberry Pi, wiring the fingers to a central control point, and ensuring a secure grip on objects. Despite these obstacles, the prototype demonstrated both efficiency and user-friendliness. In this paper, we will discuss potential improvements for future iterations and highlight the educational benefits of the engineering process and iterative testing.