Inside and outside, S2E5

In this week's episode, we feature two stories from the Oregon State Robotics Group. Ravi Balasubramanian, mechanical engineering assistant professor, is designing robo-inspired implantable mechanisms to improve orthopedic surgeries of all types--with a specific focus on tendon transfer surgery related to restoring function of the hand. We talk with him in part 1.  In part 2, we explore Project Chiron, a kit that turns a mechanized wheelchair into a self-driving wheelchair to help those with ALS. It's being developed by Bill Smart, mechanical engineering associate professor, and his graduate student Benjamin Narin. BONUS MATERIAL  See pictures/diagrams of Ravi Balasubramanian's implantable mechanisms for orthopedic surgery.   Check out a picture of the Project Chiron kit.  Find out more about the open-source Robot Operating System (ROS) hosted at Oregon State. Learn more about Bill Smart and Benjamin Narin's work in the Personal Robotics Group.  Contact Bill Smart to help fund Project Chiron. https://engineering.oregonstate.edu/season-2-engineering-inclusivity/inside-and-outside-s2e5