Innovation Through Industry-Sponsored Product Development and Evaluation Projects

Topics covered:

• Building relationships
• Developing a scope of work
• Negotiating a budget
• Managing customer expectations
• Unique R&D challenges to carrying out Industry Sponsored projects
• Tips on how to graciously end projects, while opening up future opportunities

Garrett Grindle, PhD is the Associate Director for Engineering at HERL and a Research Scientist at the University of Pittsburgh. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Bioengineering, and his doctorate in Rehabilitation Science at Pitt. Dr. Grindle’s primary role at HERL is to oversee device design, development, and prototyping for HERL’s portfolio of projects. He has extensive experience with designing and fabricating assistive technology prototypes that are suitable for use in field trials. Dr. Grindle also leads the technical side of the Technology Transfer Assist Program, which helps move VA inventions to commercial licensees through the creation of high-fidelity prototypes. Additionally, Dr. Grindle’s research interests include: assistive robots, adaptive sports equipment, power wheelchair interfaces, and the use of device smart device to assist with transfers.