WATCH: Students 3D-Print Custom Mobility Aids for Young Children

A student robotics team in Grenada, Mississippi, is using 3D printers to build custom mobility aids for young children who need extra help getting around.

The Pure Imagination Robotics Team at Grenada School District has been working on the devices since the summer. The project serves children ages 1 to 7, with each build tailored to the child who will use it.

The students say a device can contain as many as 100 separate pieces. Printing takes about 500 hours, followed by another two to three hours of assembly.

Team members say the work can be frustrating because of the number of pieces involved, but the chance to help a child makes the effort worthwhile. Some children cannot use a conventional wheelchair on their own, while cost can be another barrier for families.

The team plans additional builds during the school year as it develops the project. Watch the students explain their work and show one of the custom devices in the video.