Rehabilitation Engineering and Applied Research Lab
The Rehabilitation Engineering and Applied Research Lab (REAR Lab) takes an applied research approach to studying, developing, and enhancing specialized products that increase the health and user experience value of people with disabilities. The REAR Lab is a collaborative research space that brings together the quantitative qualities of design thinking and user experience research from the School of Industrial Design and the critical precision-based biomechanics insights from the School of Mechanical Engineering
The REAR Lab places priority on working on tangible solutions that improve the human condition.
Areas of Focus
Human-centered design is key to the lab's approach to problem-solving and testing. Through specific interest in assistive and diagnostic products and technologies, the REAR lab exposes students to equipment for human subject testing, product testing, and a fabrication space to develop new tools that facilitate research goals.
Lab activities range from data collection to data analysis, CAD design and device fabrication, algorithm development and more.
Principal Investigator
Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT
Stephen Sprigle is a Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology with appointments in Bioengineering, Industrial Design and the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering.A biomedical engineer with a license in physical therapy, Sprigle directs the Rehabilitation Engineering and Applied Research Lab (REARLab), which focuses on applied disability research and development. The REARLab’s research interests include the biomechanics of wheelchair seating and posture, pressure ulcer prevention, and manual wheelchair propulsion. Its development activities include standardized wheelchair and cushion testing and the design of assistive and diagnostic technologies. Sprigle teaches design-related classes in both the Schools of Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering.
ME/ID Collaborative Capstone Design
ME 4182 and ID 4081
This course is available to undergraduate seniors and graduate level students as the Capstone Design Studio for ME and ID majors. The studio takes a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to problem solving by challenging teams of Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering students to apply a systematic design process to real world problems. Teams apply their knowledge and skills to develop evidence-based solutions through the integration of processed like needs assessments, ideation, prototyping, and evaluation.
Human Centered Design
ID 6101
This is a graduate level course focused on engaging students through research tools and data collection to design products and/or environments that are inclusive of persons with different abilities. This course seeks to expose students to an understanding of function, aspects of disability and aging, and to the tools commonly used by designers to collect stakeholder input. Course content includes an overview of disability and aging, anthropometry, survey and focus group design and qualitative inquiry.