-Written by Shreyan. M
From the middle of April to the end of May, Terabridges had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Tikkun Olam Makers Global Innovation Challenge (TOM GIC). The challenge encourages participants to use engineering and creativity to develop assistive technology solutions that can make a real difference in people’s lives. We were excited to combine our passion for robotics with a project that focused on helping others. Our project built upon years of innovation in assistive technology
Global Innovation Challenge- Motorized TMT
Originally developed by engineers at TOM, the Toddler Mobility Trainer (TOM TMT) demonstrated a powerful impact on children’s mobility. To improve accessibility and scalability, MakeGood and LINK redesigned it as a primarily 3D-printed device. Building on that foundation, our team worked to motorize the TOM TMT using FTC motors, a 3D printed armrest, a joystick control system powered by an Arduino Uno R3, and a Roboclaw microcontroller to help support children with a wider range of mobility needs.
One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was visiting Child’s Way. We had the chance to test out our motorized TOM TMT on Elias who was the “Daily User.”. Seeing our project move beyond the workshop and help a child was incredibly rewarding. The experience reminded us that robotics is about more than competition, it can make a real difference in people’s lives. While the results of the TOM GlC have not yet been released, participating strengthened our team’s commitment to assistive technology and community outreach, and inspired us to continue using STEM to create a positive impact.