Over the course of the semester, we completed a series of human factors and mechanical engineering steps to address Sarah’s needs. We learned early on that Sarah wanted something with enough water storage for at least 2 minutes of uninterrupted use and packaging that would be discrete enough to avoid unwanted questions while in public. The team before us had worked on a very impressive pump system connected to a Camelbak water pouch, so we worked with Sarah to increase the water volume and begin the process of learning how to mount it on her wheelchair. During the semester, we were able to provide the device to her for its first ever human-testing… and it worked every time it was used! This testing, coupled with human factors principles and interviewing, gave us a detailed list of the exact steps needed to complete the product and get it to Sarah - and maybe someday others with mobility issues - for her day-to-day life.

Overall, the project was an incredible opportunity to empower Sarah with a sensitive issue that can be difficult to talk about. As the designated point person, I was responsible for talking with Sarah in a way that would make her feel comfortable sharing some very personal information, which gave me tremendous empathy for her situation. The project has a special place in my heart, not only because it allowed me to learn important skills and aspects of human factors engineering in a hands-on way, but more importantly because I saw how impactful human factors engineering can be and I felt that I was able to make a real difference in our client’s life by making her feel heard, seen, and hopeful. I can’t wait to hear about the finished product in the summer of 2026 when Sarah is able to take it with her on her honeymoon.