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376-1224-00L 6 Credits BSC , MSC D-HEST , D-MAVT , D-INFK , D-ITET

Assistive Technology Challenge

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Roger Gassert, Dr. Jessica Gantenbein
In order to participate in the course, students should fill in a registration form, see course description (in addition to signing up for the course on myStudies). There are only 24 spots available which will be distributed among students of different backgrounds. Notification of course acceptance will be shortly after February 1st. Interested students from other departments than the target group, please write an email directly to Prof. Gassert ( ) to sign up for the course.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:20

Abstract

Assistive technologies can increase the independence and quality of life of persons with disabilities. This hands-on, project-based assistive technology challenge exposes students to the user-centered design of a dedicated assistive technology solution adapted to the specific needs of a person with disability and prepares them for a career in the field of assistive and medical technologies.

Objective

- Expose students to user-centered design of an assistive technology adapted to the needs of a person with disability. - Understand the principles of user-centered design, storyboarding with personas, and usability evaluation and be able to apply these principles in a real-world use case. - Get introduced to topics relevant to the field of assistive technologies such as needs definition, accessible design, web/app accessibility, and assessing solution efficiency. - Get introduced to relevant engineering topics such as design-thinking, product innovation and rapid prototyping.

Content

The course covers the interdisciplinary topics relevant to the development of assistive technologies, including user needs derivation, innovation and rapid prototyping, user-centered design, usability, and efficiency evaluation. It is framed around a user-centered design challenge for a real-world use case (in groups of four students) in tight collaboration with persons with disabilities (challengers), with the goal of realizing an assistive technology solution adapted to the specific needs of each challenger.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Registration & Places

Limited places (Special selection)
Signup End
01.02.2026
Priority: Registration for the course unit is only possible for the primary target group

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Assistive Technology Challenge
In order to participate in the course, students should fill in a registration form in addition to signing up for the course on myStudies. The link for the registration form, as well as further detailed information about the course, can be found on: . There are only 24 spots available which will be distributed among students of different backgrounds. Notification of course acceptance will be shortly after February 1st. Interested students from other departments than the target group, please write an email directly to Prof. Gassert ( ) to sign up for the course. In addition to the regular lecture time slot on Monday mornings, there will be two time slots when students can optionally access the workshop facilities to work on their prototypes: Monday: 13.00 - 18.00h Tuesday: 13.00 - 18.00h
  • Mon 08:15-12:00 (GLC E 24)
4 h weekly

Offered In