Student Groups
Since inception, more than 1000 UVic students have been involved with CanAssist's projects. Talented groups of students have formed to endeavour some of CanAssist's most exciting community requested devices and technologies. Coming from a mix of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science classes and more, these students use their knowledge and creativity to brainstorm inventive solutions. Please see some of these groups below:
Saddle Seat wheelchair
Anecdotal evidence suggests that equestrian activity helps wheelchair users improve their posture and breathing. Therefore, an experimental "saddle seat wheelchair" was built to encourage better posture and to help evenly distribute body pressure.
Students Involved: Theresa Deegan, Joon Hwang, John Jancowski-Walsh, Gordon Kell, Aaron McCartie, Sharon McGeorge, Erin Watkin.
Remote control brake system
This device was designed for a boy who enjoyed cycling but had trouble responding appropriately to unsafe situations. The goal of this project was to build a device that will allow his caregiver to activate his brakes from a distance.
Students Involved: Brian Cockburn, Hunter Jakes, David MacInnis, Jordan Grove, May Pongpitpitak, Ali Taleb, Felice Wong.
Wheelchair transfer board
This device was for a quadriplegic adult who retained partial function of his arms. The client wanted a device that could act as a bridge between his wheelchair and another desired location (for example, a bed, a car seat, etc).
Students Involved: John Bunting, Iain McEvoy, Russ Huband, Nik Morrisette, Jenner Richards, Jason Savoie-Young.
Hand-foot powered bike
A young boy with weak legs required a bicycle that could be moved by arm and leg movements. Therefore, a bike that had both hand and foot cranks were created. Multiple gears and removable training wheels were also included to this bike.
Students Involved: M. Cummings, K. Hamm, B. Ho, A. Kopac, T. Spani, E. Stade, D.Whiting.
Other student groups
Low-rider wheelchair: Colin Vincent, Lana Olague, Mark Jackson, Kristine Leckie, and Michal Osusky.
Electrodes for the cyberlink headband: Elaine Baird, Kyndra Moeller, Erik Weimer, and Farnaz Khosrow-Khavar.
Three-dimensional position and motion detector: Tim Bodley and Tim Rathjen.
2-Legged balancing system: Rob Prinz, Mark Kuoppala, and Tifenn Vialatte.
Low-cost noise meter: Ori Hadary, Peter Atwal and Milos Jerkovic.
Remote control bicycle brakes: Jeff Fleming, Tyler Issacson, Josh Barry, and Sig Lerson.
Bicycle for child with arthrogryposis: Steph Burns, Mallory Cluff, Mike Waters, and David Oliver.
Systems analysis: Craig Stuart, Jason Zablotny, Holly Keenan, Maxime Lamothe-Brassard.