Students Build Custom Ride-On Cars for Children
Families in Corvallis can access modified, low-cost mobility vehicles for children with limited physical abilities.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Special Needs
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Engineering students at Oregon State University are modifying ride-on cars to provide independent mobility for children with physical disabilities. These custom vehicles are distributed to families at little or no cost through a local nonprofit organization.
Why it matters
Children with limited mobility often face barriers to social exploration and play, which these modified cars aim to bridge. By utilizing local grants and community donations, the project ensures that necessary assistive technology remains accessible to Corvallis families.
The Wayfinders project has produced hundreds of ride-on cars, each requiring approximately 0.5 days to complete, with individual build costs ranging between $330 and $750. The long-term durability and impact on developmental milestones for these specific participants remain under study.
The players
Oregon State University
A public research university in Corvallis serving as the hub for student-led engineering and assistive technology innovation.
Matthew Pickerell
The leader of the Wayfinders project who coordinates student efforts to build adaptive mobility devices.
Pacific Northwest Assistive Technologies
A nonprofit organization that facilitates the distribution of custom-built assistive vehicles to local families.
The details
The engineering team transforms 12-volt toy cars by removing standard foot pedals and installing custom controls tailored to individual needs, such as joysticks, buttons, or head switches. Each vehicle is retrofitted with specialized padding and safety harnesses to ensure postural support. Families may return the smaller models as their children grow to trade them in for larger, appropriately sized versions.
Timeline
2024: Pacific Northwest Assistive Technologies was co-founded to support the program.
- 2026-10-28
The project continues to operate and distribute vehicles in Corvallis.
Health Landscape
The Wayfinders project aligns with the national Go Baby Go movement, which standardizes the use of modified ride-on cars to encourage early childhood mobility and social interaction. This initiative marks a practical application of rehabilitative engineering within the local Corvallis community.
Parents of children with limited mobility may want to consult with a pediatric physical therapist to determine if an adapted ride-on car could support developmental and social goals. In Corvallis, families can reach out to Pacific Northwest Assistive Technologies to inquire about vehicle availability and trade-in options.
The takeaway
These modified cars provide a vital, low-cost path to independent play for children with physical challenges. Families interested in adaptive equipment should maintain an open dialogue with their care team about how specific assistive technologies might support their child's daily mobility needs.
Further reading
Learn more about local resources for families at Special Needs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KMTR.
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