When it comes to robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence, it’s easy to conjure up grim predictions of the robots taking our jobs and then conquering us, or whatever. But the truth is that this stuff helps us — often in ways that are totally heartwarming.
It’s an exciting field to study.
Students at Farmington High School in Farmington, Minnesota (part of the Minneapolis-St.Paul metro area) are encouraged to participate in the robotics team, which has developed all kinds of impressive machines.
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It’s all about circuitry and creativity.
While these are just high school kids, they’re working on stuff that’s way more complex than you might imagine. All they need is a goal in mind to get started on a new project.
Here’s who they helped.
Two-year-old Cillian Jackson, seen here with his dad Tyler, has had a rough go of it so far in his young life. Cillian has a lot of trouble getting around due to a genetic condition.
It’s tough for the toddler.
“He has an especially hard time controlling his body,” Cillian’s dad told local TV station KARE. “He has a lot of symptoms you’d see in someone who has cerebral palsy.”
Here’s where things get interesting.
Tyler, Cillian’s dad, was a part of Farmington High’s robotics team back when he was in high school. He proposed a project: a mobility car built just for Cillian. They went to work on something special, which included this custom gearshift.
From the ground up, it was built for Cillian.
This solution not only created a unique project for robotics students, it also provided Cillian with a cost-effective way to get around, given the price of conventional power wheelchairs.
The scooter looks awesome.
“I brought it up to the kids at a meeting [and asked] ‘Is this something we want to step up and do?'” explained robotics coach Spencer Elvebak. Needless to say, the students were totally game.
Spencer’s family met with the students.
Cillian’s scooter, made from a modified Power Wheels toy, was perfect. After using it for a bit, Cillian went back to the school, along with his parents, to say thanks.
It’s a remarkable device.
Cost-effective, custom-built, and simple enough for a two-year-old to operate, Cillian’s custom ride gives him all sorts of freedom he simply didn’t have before. It was a life-changing experience for all involved.
How’d they develop it?
The Farmington students are experienced in creating robots for competitions — you know, those awesome battles where they smash each other up. So they used this expertise making wheeled robots and adapted it.
It was a true team effort.
The students and their coaches had experience with robotics, but not with mobility devices. To that end, they tapped a University of Delaware program that specializes in children with disabilities for guidance.
It’s a different kind of job.
Many of their projects involve creating robots to bash each other up, but this job was different. “Instead of completing a task, we’re helping change someone’s life,” said team member Drew Eisenzimmer.
It’s another big accomplishment.
The trophy case for Farmington High’s robotics team is already stuffed full. While this project might not involve a specific award, it’s something that probably means way more than a mere plaque or trophy.
They’re a busy bunch.
They’re back to creating their battle robots (they recently placed third overall at a competition at the nearby University of Minnesota). But this story is proof that their robots can work for the greater good, as well as for chaos.
Tell us what you think!
It’s an awesome story, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have tears in my eyes after watching the video. Be sure to check out the original story, and share your reaction in the comments!
h/t: KARE
