RISE: A project-based learning framework for student-driven exoskeleton development

This paper presents RISE, a transdisciplinary project-based teaching framework in which students iteratively develop a robotic exoskeleton for individuals with spinal cord injury. The course integrates agile SCRUM processes, competence-oriented alignment and user-centered design within an authentic engineering context. Multi-semester evaluations show consistently high student ratings and strong motivation despite substantial workload. External benchmarking is provided through participation in the CYBATHLON 2024 finals, where the student-developed system achieved fourth place overall.