Documented below are month by month updates on the progress of this project, detailing the challenges and solutions that were faced.

September 2025

• Requirements
• Design Inputs
• Website Created
• Team Contract Created
• Project Constraints

October 2025

• Project Standards and Guidelines
• Initial Budget Sheet
• Gantt Chart
• Safety Survey
• Interim Design Review
  • Design Verification and Solutions

November 2025

• Hazard Analysis
• Project Abstract
• SolidWorks Drawings and Initial Frame Model
• Decisions for Functional Components
  • Motor, MCU, Tensioning Element, Materials, etc.

December 2025

• Created more finalized SolidWorks models for the phase 2 shell based on updated design specs and drawings.
• Found and acquired new parts and materials for the project
• Final Design Review
  • Review of New Design models/drawings as well as testing methods
• Developed full Scope design Verification and Validation Methods
• Began to use OpenSim for the implemenation of design to measure actuation torques
  • Can be used for future validation methods

February 2026

• Project submitted to NEBEC
• Verification protocols established
• Validation protocols established

March 2026

• First prototype created

April 2026

• Second prototype created
• Verification testing performed for range of motion
• Validation testing performed for range of motion
• Verification testing performed for hard stop
• Validation testing performed for hard stop
• Verification testing performed for active assist
• Verification testing performed for circuitry
• ANSYS analysis created
• Poster created for NEBEC conference

• Third prototype created
• Verification testing performed for mode control
• Validation testing performed for mode control
• Verification testing performed for emergency shutoff
• Validation testing performed for emergency shutoff
• Verification testing performed for lightweight
• Validation testing performed for comfortable
• Verification testing performed for electrical safety
• ANSYS fatigue analysis performed for material selection
• Project synthesized into final presentation