X-Bots Robotics and Boys & Girls Club of Whittier Empower Teens to Build Mobility for Toddlers
X-Bots Robotics and Boys & Girls Club of Whittier Empower Teens to Build Mobility for Toddlers at Hands-On STEM Workshop
Teens adapted ride-on electric cars for local toddlers with mobility challenges at an October 4 community build, supported by the PPG Foundation
(WHITTIER, CALIF.) October 10, 2025 — X-Bots Robotics, based in Whittier, teamed up with the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier| Pico Rivera to host a hands-on STEM workshop on Saturday, October 4, where local teens learned core engineering skills while adapting ride-on electric cars to increase mobility and independence for toddlers. The community build, part of the X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program presented by the PPG Foundation, introduced youth to real-world applications of science and engineering that directly benefit toddlers with cerebral disorders and other neurological challenges affecting their body mobility and their families.
“By pairing service-learning with skill-building, the X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program helps teens explore potential pathways in electrical and mechanical engineering as well as physical and occupational therapy while seeing the immediate impact of their work in their own community,” said X-Bots Robotics Executive Director Elisa Avila. “X-Bots’ approach centers on mentorship and youth leadership, inspiring the next generation of STEM problem-solvers through high-impact, real-world projects.”
During the half-day workshop, X-Bots mentors guided participants through safety checks, wiring and switch installation, seating and harness adjustments, and custom button controls to meet each toddler’s needs. The program draws on the open-source GoBabyGo movement, which provides practical, real-time mobility solutions for toddlers with mobility challenges.
“Children with mobility challenges or disabilities don't have as many opportunities to move as they should and so this car gives them a way to initiate movement by themselves and to experience that,” said Stephanie Yu Covert, a pediatric physical therapist who coordinates GoBabyGo events in Los Angeles. “Toddlers also have fun with their families because it's a way they can socialize and be a part of the community.”
The PPG Foundation’s support enables X-Bots to expand these educational opportunities, connecting STEM concepts to tangible innovations, like robotics and mobility technologies, that can reimagine daily life for children with disabilities.
“Our partnership with X-Bots Robotics reinforces our investment in the next generation of STEM leaders by encouraging future engineers and scientists to experience the joy of experimentation and the impacts both community service and STEM concepts make in the lives of others,” said Malesia Dunn, executive director of PPG Foundation and Corporate Global Social Responsibility.
To learn more about X-bots Robotics, visit xbotsinc.com.
