OSU Students Build Custom Mobility Cars for Children

Engineering students modify ride-on vehicles to provide new mobility and social exploration options for local children.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Special Needs

OSU Students Build Custom Mobility Cars for Children

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Oregon State University students are building custom-modified ride-on cars for children with limited mobility in Corvallis. The project is supported by the nonprofit Pacific Northwest Assistive Technologies.

Why it matters

The initiative aims to provide children with disabilities essential opportunities for mobility and social exploration. By repurposing standard ride-on vehicles, the team creates accessible play experiences that foster independence.

Building costs for each 12-volt vehicle range from $330 to $750, with a team requiring approximately 0.5 days to complete one modification. Families can trade in smaller models for larger versions as their children grow.

The players

Matthew Pickerell

He leads the Wayfinders project at Oregon State University which oversees the engineering and modification of vehicles.

Oregon State University

This public research university in Corvallis serves as the base for the engineering team developing these assistive technologies.

Pacific Northwest Assistive Technologies

Co-founded in 2024, this nonprofit manages the distribution of modified ride-on cars to families at little or no cost.

The details

The project team replaces standard toy pedals with accessible joysticks, buttons, or head switches to accommodate different physical needs. Each vehicle is also outfitted with custom padding and safety harnesses to ensure stability for users.

Pacific Northwest Assistive Technologies was co-founded in 2024.
This report was published on October 28, 2026.

Culture Shift

This project follows the pattern set by the Go Baby Go movement by utilizing engineering expertise to provide accessible play equipment to the community. It represents a broader societal shift toward creating custom, low-cost assistive technologies for children with limited mobility.

Families in the area can access these vehicles at little or no cost thanks to local grants and donations. Parents of children with limited mobility may contact the nonprofit to inquire about eligibility for a car or to trade in a smaller model for an upgrade.

The takeaway

The Wayfinders project demonstrates how local engineering initiatives can directly improve the daily lives of children with physical disabilities. Families are encouraged to engage with the nonprofit early to ensure their child has access to a properly fitted vehicle.