College
College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Date of Last Revision
2024-06-04 07:34:14
Major
Electrical Engineering
Honors Course
ELEN 401 & 402: Senior Design Project I & 2
Number of Credits
6
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2024
Abstract
This senior project explores the development of a pediatric-oriented animatronic designed to enhance the hospital experience for children. Recognizing the importance of alleviating the anxiety and fear that often accompany hospital visits, the project focuses on creating an engaging and interactive companion to soothe children.
Key components of this project include:
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Creative Design: The animatronic character's design prioritizes child-friendliness, employing research into child psychology and preferences to ensure an appealing and approachable aesthetic.
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Electrical and Mechanical Engineering: A robust mechanical and electronic system was engineered to enable lifelike movements, gestures, and responses.
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Interactive Features: A simple, user-friendly app will be available for patients, hospital employees and volunteers to use. The app will allow users to select pre-programmed responses and behaviors for the animatronic to exhibit.
This project presents a promising solution to enhance the pediatric hospital experience, providing companionship and enrichment for patients. Future work may focus on further refinements, expanded capabilities, and long-term impact assessment. Ultimately, this animatronic offers a valuable tool for compassionate pediatric care in hospitals.
Research Sponsor
Dr. Michael Lichter
First Reader
Dr. Hamid Bahrami
Second Reader
Dr. Huu Nghi Tran
Honors Faculty Advisor
Dr. Huu Nghi Tran
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Recommended Citation
Keller, Erin; Cunningham, Wesley; Mueller, Dylan; and Richter, Carl, "Children's Hospital Animatronic" (2024). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1862.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1862