Beau Bewarder’s eyes twinkle with curiosity as he studies the camouflage green toy car in front of him.
Moments later, his initial hesitation gives way to excitement.
A bright smile flashes across the 6-year-old’s face as he climbs into what his family now affectionately calls “Beau Car.”
For most children, riding a toy car is a simple childhood experience. For Beau, who lives with KIF1A-associated neurological disorder, that is not the case.
The rare progressive disorder, which affects about 600 individuals worldwide, impacts Beau’s vision, development and mobility. It also causes hereditary spastic paraplegia, leaving him unable to use his legs independently.
“The world around us is not made for Beau and for kids like him,” said Katie Bewarder, Beau’s mother. “We strive to give Beau experiences and joy just like any other kid. We cannot just buy certain toys and give him certain experiences, so we have to create them.”
Hoping to find a solution, Katie, who works in Fresno State’s University Development department, reached out to faculty in the Lyles College of Engineering after learning about their existing work in medical prosthetics. She connected with Dr. The Nguyen, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and posed an unusual question: Could his students design a toy car that could meet her son’s complex needs?
The answer was yes.
Three students from the Lyles College of Engineering’s Honors Program became the team behind Beau’s new car. Hunter Fraser, Kaitlyn Rockholt and Gabrielle Torres began their project at the beginning of the spring 2026 semester, under the supervision of Nguyen, who also provided funding and equipment.
Nguyen saw the project as an opportunity for the students to apply their newfound engineering and design skills to solve a real-world accessibility challenge. As sophomores, they also taught themselves new concepts throughout the design process.
First, the team met with Katie, who was able to answer questions and guide their design process. From concept to completion, the project took about 13 weeks to design, model, 3D print and assemble.
Each student contributed their expertise to design a car focused on accessibility, safety and durability.
Fraser, a construction management major from Fresno, managed the project’s timeline and tasks; Torres, a civil engineering major from Hughson, California, designed many of the accessibility and aesthetic features; and Rockholt, a mechanical engineering major from Merced, led much of the 3D modeling and printing process.
Other students from the Lyles College of Engineering Honors Program also assisted in the fabrication process.
The 3D-printed car, painted in Beau’s favorite color, is equipped with elements designed to meet his needs, including a handle that allows Beau or his parents to push the car manually. A wooden footrest supports his legs and a personalized steering wheel gives him the ability to “drive.”
At the end of May, the trio got to present their final creation to Beau.
“It was just a dream to see what these students came up with,” Katie said. “Although Beau couldn’t express it with words, his actions and emotions showed us he felt incredibly special. He was over the top excited and so happy to know that ‘Beau Car’ was going home with us.”
For the students, seeing Beau’s reaction was the ultimate payoff after months of hard work.
“The process was long and difficult, but it was worth every second after seeing how much Beau enjoyed it,” Rockholt said. “It was very rewarding to become a part of his life in the way that he had become a part of ours through this car.”
“This project meant a lot to me,” Fraser said. “From the opportunity to work as a team and create something meaningful for Beau, to also applying my skills I’ve learned in school to make it come true.”
Torres echoed her teammates’ sentiments, saying the project gave her a firsthand look at how engineering can be used to create accessible products that prioritize inclusivity and the unique needs of individuals like Beau, which made for an enriching experience.
Months later, “Beau Car” remains one of Beau’s favorite toys, Katie said. Even on the hottest summer days, he often asks to take it for a ride.
For a family used to adapting the world around their son, the custom-built car represents much more than a toy.
“Seeing these students get so involved in this project and create something one-of-a-kind for our son was priceless,” Katie said.
To support student projects and initiatives within the Lyles College of Engineering, contact Development Director Ashley Stiles at ashleystiles@mail.fresnostate.edu.
