Teen uses robotics do help injured veterans

Joseph Anand, 15, used his robotics knowledge to make life a little easier for returning veterans. It all started when Joseph was in ninth grade and read news reports about injured veterans returning from Afghanistan, and then he met some in person.
The Ohio teenager created a motorized pulley system that can be calibrated by a physical therapist to help soldiers exercise. It took a year for this boy to build this device, in his house.
Vijay, Joseph's father and an electrical engineer, helped his soon trough this process. A professor from University of Akron computer science professor taught the youngster software coding.
Joseph says the system works with upper and lower limbs. So far, he's tested it out on a giant teddy bear, but he plans to test out a full model later this year. He has also contacted the Cleveland V.A. Hospital to discuss using the system as part of its PT regimen.
“I have high school to finish and college to start, so it might take a year or two to test the device in real life,” says the inventor.
Regardless of the timeline, giving back will always be part of Joseph’s life, he says. “My parents taught me that if you’re blessed with a talent, you use it to help others.”

More info: http://makerfaire.com/new-york-2013/

Adapted from: http://www.rd.com/true-stories/inspiring/teen-invention-injured-veterans/