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Rose-Hulman Ventures played a key role in the software development for an Indianapolis-based company honored as a finalist for the Innovation of the Year Award at the TechPoint Mira Awards. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students and
project managers assisted Comfort Motion Technologies (CMT) by developing embedded software that used a CMT algorithm.
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Designing More Comfortable Seats: Robert Rea (back), a junior biomedical engineering major, and Kyle Winterroud, a senior computer engineering major, perform testing of the Comfort Motion seat application at Rose-Hulman Ventures, located at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's South Campus. |
Comfort Motion Technologies develops software technology used in its Vehicle Seat Multi-Position software to enhance the ergonomic value and function of existing power seat applications for the transportation industry. Using proven,
proprietary research and design based on the biomechanics of the human spine, CMT’s software reduces driver fatigue and improves driver comfort by automating subtle changes in the seat position and redistributing the driver’s weight thus
relieving the pain caused by muscle fatigue and compression.
Chris Meyer, a 2006 software engineering graduate, completed the embedded software project during the summer after earning his undergraduate degree. He worked at Rose-Hulman Ventures, a 35,000 square foot facility in a Certified Technology
Park located at Rose-Hulman's South Campus.
“I had considerable responsibility in working directly with CMT. It was like working in the real world,” said Meyer, adding that the Rose-Hulman Ventures experience was also beneficial in other ways. “While working at Rose-Hulman Ventures
(RHV), I was able to work on cross functional teams which also improved my teamwork abilities. During interviews with several companies, my work at RHV provided me a vehicle to discuss my skills and capabilities.”
Meyer's contributions to the project didn't go unnoticed.
“Chris was instrumental in our embedded system software development, systems development, circuit design and hardware layout,” stated Alan Rowley, CMT's senior vice president of commercialization.
The company offered Meyer a full-time engineering position because of his work on the project and his knowledge of the company’s best-practices and company culture. He is also currently pursuing a master’s degree in engineering management
at Rose-Hulman.
“The CMT project has been a great success for all involved,” states Bill Kline, associate dean for professional experiences and director of the RHV program. “The project brought us challenging and cutting-edge project work for our student
interns and Chris found employment with the company as well.”
This summer, 80 students are working on projects for 20 companies.
TechPoint, Indiana’s premier initiative for growing Indiana’s technology-based economy, recognizes exceptional contributions of Indiana's most innovative and successful technology-driven organizations thorough its annual Mira Awards. Each
nominee, finalist, and winner has accelerated the state's economy, focused global attention on Indiana and, most importantly, improved the quality of life for Hoosiers.
Comfort Motion Technologies has also been the recipient of a grant from the Indiana 21st Century Research and Technology Fund to further develop their software aimed at improving driver safety and comfort. |
