Mechatronics Students Modify Toy Cars for Kids

Four new vehicles recently hit the streets of Sioux Falls, thanks to a group of Southeast Tech Mechatronics students and instructor Bryan Cox.

Well, maybe not the streets. Hallways and driveways may be more accurate. That’s because the vehicles are toy ride-on cars, modified for children with limited mobility through a project with LifeScape called Go Baby Go. 

The vehicles look very similar to what you may find at any Wal-Mart or Target across the country. However, they are specially equipped with a special activation switch and modified with kickboards, plastic pipes and foam swimming noodles to give children with mobility disabilities a chance to more easily play and socialize and with friends and family. Mechatronics students also relocated the charging port for easier post-modification access.

LifeScape, who purchased the vehicles through a grant, provided the vehicles and modification supplies to Southeast Tech. The group of students modified them on-campus, and then one student, Dan Cramer, went with Cox to the LifeScape facility for the final build and to make customized adjustments unique to each receiving child.

“Watching the smiles on the faces of kids and parents was amazing,” said Cox. “These cars can be purchased inexpensively and modified so simply, yet they bring so much joy”.

For future projects with LifeScape, additional students from the electrician and automotive technology programs will also be involved with the initial assembly and wiring modifications. 

Note: This is the first installment in a two-part series.

Read the Second Installment