By Melissa Alonso | October 23, 2025

The SimTigrate Design Center is proud to be among the first recipients of the Georgia Tech Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS) and Shepherd Center Seed Grant. The award was officially announced at the Georgia Tech and Shepherd Center Research Collaborative event, part of Shepherd’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Our project, Paving a Smooth Path from Hospital to Home: A Feasibility Study of an Integrated Smart Transitional Home Lab, will explore new ways to support stroke patients as they transition from hospital care to home. By integrating universal design, assistive technologies, and smart sensors into a Smart Transitional Home Lab (STHL) prototype, the team aims to:
  •  Deepen understanding of patient and caregiver needs in the home environment
  •  Assess the feasibility of a STHL to improve daily living and rehabilitation outcomes
  •  Measure how experiencing a STHL prototype shifts awareness and attitudes toward smart home technologies

This interdisciplinary effort convenes experts across Georgia Tech’s College of Design, the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation, the Aware Home/Institute for People and Technology, and the Shepherd Center’s User Experience Research Lab and Center for Assistive Technologies. 

“This grant really allows us to build an interdisciplinary team between the College of Design, the Aware Home from IPaT, and the Shepherd Center,” said Hui Cai, PhD, Executive Director of SimTigrate and principal investigator from Tech. “For the College of Design, SimTigrate is looking at the project from the smart home environment and user experience perspectives, while the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation’s Tools for Life team brings deep expertise in rehabilitation and assistive technologies.” The Tools for Life team, led by Jennifer Ro, MA, CCC-SLP, and Rachel Scarboro, OTD, OTR/L, contributes vital clinical insight as a speech therapist and an occupational therapist, respectively. 

The IPaT Aware Home team brings in rich experience in smart home technology. The Shepherd team is led by Dr. John Morris, the PI from the Shepherd side. His User Experience Research Lab contributes decades of experience in user experience research, while Jennifer Cowhig, PT, DPT, ATP, from Shepherd Center for Assistive Technology brings in valuable clinical expertise as a physical therapist with direct experience working with stroke patients. "Their perspective in assistive technology and therapy adds tremendous value,” Cai explained, “helping us design environments that truly respond to the daily realities of stroke survivors and caregivers.”

“Stroke survivors and caregivers face tremendous challenges once they leave the hospital,” said Cai. “Our collaboration seeks to reimagine the home environment as a place of healing, support, and innovation.” The seed grant provides foundational support for this research and positions the project for future external funding to expand impact.