For Kenneth Sohn ’27, engineering is about more than designing machines and solving technical problems. It’s about finding creative ways to make everyday life better for others. That passion for innovation recently took Kenneth to Orlando, Florida, where he and his research partner, Antonio Gerber, a junior at Watkinson School, presented their latest project at the Biomedical Engineering Society’s (BMES) Annual Meeting on October 24, 2026.

Their research tackles a challenge that many people may take for granted: navigating a curb. For someone using a wheelchair, even a small curb without a ramp can become a significant obstacle to mobility and independence.

Sohn and Gerber explore a possible solution by designing and building a small-scale prototype wheelchair capable of climbing a curb using a motorized mechanism and specially shaped wheels. Their project, titled “Design and Prototype of a Curb-Stepping Wheelchair with a 1–DOF Pitch-Axis Actuation System,” combines mechanical engineering, robotics, and creative problem-solving. The prototype features a motorized joint beneath the wheelchair’s frame that helps lift the chair over an obstacle, while uniquely shaped, nautilus-inspired front wheels provide additional support.

Through experimentation, testing, and refinement, the students evaluated different wheel designs and successfully demonstrated how their model could navigate a simulated curb.

“We’re interested in engineering that addresses problems people encounter in everyday life,” Sohn said. “For this project, that meant looking closely at a curb: something that can seem minor until it blocks someone’s path.”

While the prototype is still in its early stages, the students hope to eventually develop a larger version that could be adapted to existing wheelchairs. Additional research and testing would be necessary to ensure the design’s stability, strength, and safety. “Our model demonstrates one possible approach to climbing a curb,” Gerber said. “It isn’t a wheelchair ready for someone to use, but it gives us something to build on. We hope to develop it further, with careful testing and input from wheelchair users.”

The Orlando presentation marks another milestone in a research partnership that has taken the students to several prestigious scientific conferences. In 2025, the pair presented Balloid, a miniature, low-cost robot designed to make robotics education more accessible, at the International Conference on Ubiquitous Robots at Texas A&M University. Earlier this year, they presented research on a camera-based wheelchair obstacle detection system at the SPIE Defense + Security Conference. Their latest project builds on that work, moving beyond detecting obstacles to exploring how a wheelchair might physically overcome them.

At the BMES High School Poster Expo, the students shared their findings with biomedical engineering researchers, educators, and industry professionals, gaining valuable experience communicating complex ideas and engaging with experts in the field. By identifying a real-world challenge, testing ideas, and refining their approach, Kenneth is putting his technical knowledge and creativity to work in ways that could ultimately benefit others. While the engineering itself is impressive, the motivation behind the project makes the work especially meaningful: using innovation to remove barriers and create greater independence. The students acknowledge Hartford HealthCare’s Bone & Joint Institute for providing mentorship and guidance on their smart-wheelchair research. The research represents the students’ independent work and does not constitute an endorsement by Hartford Hospital or Hartford HealthCare.