Waco’s KWTX recently reported on a group of Baylor engineering students who used their senior capstone project to improve the life of a local child with special needs. Under the guidance of Dr. Brian Garland, associate professor of mechanical engineering, and Dr. Ian Gravagne, associate professor of electrical & computer engineering, the students designed a custom swing for seven-year-old Camille Witt, who was born with a genetic condition that limits her mobility. Camille is the daughter of Dr. Jason Witt, the associate director of the Baylor Institute for Faith and Learning.

While the finished product may look simple, its design was more complicated than it might appear because the swing needed to be not only stable and motorized, but also able to Camille’s weight all the way through adulthood.

In isolation, Gravagne says, either of these specifications can be easily met — standard playground swings can support adults and common baby swings are motor-driven — but in combination, they present more of a challenge. Continue Reading →