UTC Team Built Low-Cost 3-D Printed Mobility Chair
A custom 3-D printed chair helped a Chattanooga toddler gain mobility for preschool at a fraction of commercial prices.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Special Needs
Students and faculty at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga successfully engineered a 3-D printed mobility chair for two-year-old Amelia Aikin. The device serves as a low-cost alternative for families facing insurance gaps for necessary equipment.
Why it matters
Customized mobility solutions can reduce financial burdens for families when standard commercial wheelchairs, which can cost thousands, are not covered by insurance. This project ensures children like Amelia can attend preschool with the support they need to move independently.
The custom mobility chair cost approximately $220 to manufacture, compared to the $5,000 price tag typical for a commercial wheelchair. The current unit supports children up to 50 lbs and allows for movement within 25 seconds.
The players
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Engineering and Computer Science
An academic institution focused on practical engineering applications and community-based research projects.
Amelia Aikin
A two-year-old child living with cerebral palsy who requires specialized mobility equipment.
Make Good
A New Orleans-based organization that provides designs for accessible 3-D printed assistive devices.
The details
The design was sourced from the company Make Good and adapted using CAD files. The team processed these files through a specialized slicer program to translate digital data into precise instructions for 3-D printers. This process allows for the creation of lightweight, affordable equipment tailored to a specific child's physical needs.
Timeline
The mobility chair will be used when the child enters preschool in 2026.
The Home Front
This development follows a growing trend of using 3-D printed assistive technology to bypass traditional medical device costs. It highlights a departure from relying solely on mass-produced insurance-covered equipment toward personalized, community-engineered solutions.
If your child requires specialized mobility equipment not covered by insurance, consult with an occupational therapist about the availability of open-source 3-D design platforms. Always verify the safety and weight capacity of any custom equipment before use by consulting a medical professional.
The takeaway
This project demonstrates that innovative engineering can provide life-changing accessibility at a fraction of the cost of retail devices. Families should maintain a list of local university engineering departments to inquire about community-service initiatives that may offer similar assistive device projects.
Further reading
Learn more about local support networks in the Special Needs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News 12 Now.
