Project Updates

HandCycle

This month, our Biomechanical Systems Team has been manufacturing components required to mount the hand pedal system to the adaptive frame and developing the modular design further. Their members have been busy in the machine shop on the waterjet, mill and lathe to finalize manufacturing by mid-February.

Once manufacturing is complete, Biomech will begin verification and validation testing to ensure the system can support the weight and vibrational forces users apply while using the device.

Remote Project

The Biomechanical Systems Team has also been developing an ergonomic, lightweight, and waterproof remote enclosure that is easy to use by the cognitively impaired. The current iteration was showcased at the Western Engineering Conference in Saskatchewan on January 25th and 26th and won first place.

Moreover, the team has been looking at a possible new variation of the remote buttons, silicone pads and electrical contacts; implementing a “Find My Remote” feature using a buzzer and Bluetooth LE; and a new PCB design for the next generation of the remote.

BIOMOD

With mentorship and guidance from the 2024 BIOMOD team, the 2025 team has begun ideation and research into methods to improve the previous biosensor. Ranging from improved stability, selectivity, and overall construction, the new team has started the research and planning process regarding the summer 2025 in-lab research. The 2025 team is also in the process of completing studentship applications and seeking other funding sources. The team has also been participating in LaunchPad to further the business aspects of the project.

Walking Aid

The team has made a complete design overhaul, making the sensors separate and looking into modules to strap on that would make the walker more usable. Each module will be its own unit with new PCBs and will be powered by an ESP32 with an SD card to store the data gained from the walker tests. That data would then be read and wirelessly transferred. This means Arduino Mega will no longer be used and there won’t be a touchscreen anymore as they use too much battery for how useful they are to the system overall.

New sensors will be integrated including a metronome to help users sync walking patterns, and a contactless heartbeat sensor to measure a patient's heartbeats without being strapped into any equipment.

Western Engineering Competition

BMERIT Won First Place!

This month, BMERIT earned first place at the Western Engineering Competition for one of our very first projects - the Universal TV Remote Project. This device is designed to assist dementia patients by simplifying the controls and customization for the user. It allows caregivers to customize settings as well. It reduces confusion and improves quality of life for the patients. This achievement showcases BMERIT's innovative nature and determination toward increasing quality of life, one project at a time. We are very proud of our Electrical, Software, and Mechanical teams for all their hard work and dedication to this project over the years. Stay tuned for more of our exciting projects throughout the year!

CUBEC Recap

Last weekend we had our Cell and Chem team as well as our Biomech team represent our club at the Canadian Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Conference (CUBEC). They presented our projects in front of top companies and industry professionals in North America! Huge shoutout to everyone who presented and contributed to this incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and inspire within the biomedical engineering community!

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