CANBE FIT: TOYOTA MOBILITY FOUNDATION (PATENT-PENDING)

As a full-time graduate student at SMU, I co-led a human-centered design project focused on making adaptive exercise more accessible for individuals with lower limb differences. The result was CanBe Fit, an affordable, at-home resistance training tool that meets the unique needs of users who face barriers to physical therapy and adaptive fitness.

Many individuals with lower limb differences struggle with mobility, rehabilitation, and staying active due to financial and logistical barriers. CanBe Fit is designed to empower users with a cost-effective, flexible, and supportive solution for independent strength training.

Problem Statement
People with lower limb differences often face challenges accessing physical therapy and fitness resources.

Key challenges included:
• High costs of adaptive exercise equipment and ongoing therapy.
• Limited access to physical therapists due to insurance restrictions and transportation issues.
• Lack of adaptable fitness tools for diverse body types and mobility levels.
• A need for guided feedback, ensuring safe and effective use of at-home training tools.

CanBe Fit was designed to bridge the gap between accessibility, affordability, and functionality in adaptive exercise.

Role & Collaborators

Role: Co-Researcher & Product Designer
• Conducted extensive user research with individuals with lower limb differences.
• Designed an adaptive resistance training tool, ensuring accessibility and affordability.
• Led prototyping and iteration, testing the product with real users.

Collaborators:
• Adaptive Athletes & Amputees – Provided critical insights into fitness challenges.
• Physical Therapists & Healthcare Professionals – Advised on safe and effective training methods.
• Industrial Designers – Assisted in prototyping durable, user-friendly components.

Research Approach
To ensure CanBe Fit met real user needs, we conducted:
• User Interviews – Engaged individuals with lower limb differences to understand their exercise challenges.
• Expert Consultations – Worked with healthcare professionals to validate our approach.
• Prototype Testing – Iterated designs based on feedback from adaptive fitness users.

Key Findings:
1. Users needed affordable, adaptive fitness tools that worked in everyday environments.
2. Existing resistance bands were not designed for users with limb differences.
3. People desired structured feedback to ensure they were exercising correctly.
4. Insurance and financial barriers limited access to professional physical therapy.

From these insights, we framed our How Might We… statement:
How might we create an affordable, adaptive fitness tool that enables individuals with lower limb differences to maintain an active lifestyle?

Process & Iteration
The project followed an iterative design process, focusing on:
1. Product Concept & Sketching: Brainstormed solutions based on user insights.
2. Prototype Development: Created a working model incorporating user feedback.
3. User Testing & Refinement: Adjusted design to maximize usability and accessibility.

Final Design Solution: CanBe Fit
CanBe Fit is an affordable, adaptive resistance training tool designed to:
• Support users with lower limb differences in maintaining an active lifestyle.
• Provide accessible strength training without requiring expensive equipment.
• Work in any environment, using common household objects as anchors.
• Deliver real-time feedback, ensuring safe and effective use.

Key Features:
✔ Affordable pricing ($50 target cost) with no hidden fees.
✔ Durable, adaptable components designed for different body types.
✔ Works with existing resistance band exercises for easy integration.
✔ Provides feedback outside of therapy sessions, supporting independent training.

Impact & Key Outcomes
• Increased accessibility to adaptive exercise for uninsured or low-income users.
• Empowered individuals to engage in independent fitness.
• Positive feedback from users and therapists, validating the product’s effectiveness.

This project demonstrates my ability to blend accessibility, product design, and human-centered research to create meaningful, impact-driven solutions.