Adjustable bed manufacturer Reverie, with headquarters in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, has funded programs at the University of Michigan and Lawrence Technological University. Engineering majors at both schools engaged in research projects designed to promote innovation in mechanized-furniture research and development.
According to a news release, Martin Rawls-Meehan, Reverie president and chief executive officer, had hands-on involvement in the programs and made monthly visits to both Michigan schools to ensure that classroom teachings “align with real-world R&D.”
The yearlong University of Michigan program continues through the fall. Student teams develop prototypes that are sent to Reverie’s R&D department, critiqued and returned to the students for further development.
Next up, Reverie said, is a multidisciplinary program involving mechanical design, as well as electronic design, programming and systems integration.
At Lawrence Tech, Reverie sponsored an “Innovation Encounter,” bringing eight universities from across the country together to compete in a 24-hour engineering challenge. Student teams brainstormed improvements to an existing Reverie adjustable base. The winning school was awarded a monetary prize for its scholarship fund.
“At Reverie, we are excited to partner with local universities to cultivate growth and innovation in the students who are going to lead us into the next generation in the sleep products industry,” Rawls-Meehan said. “Many businesses in Michigan are dedicated to the automotive industry. Our projects give students the opportunity to work with a different industry, and raise our awareness in the local academic community. We value the new ideas students generate and the relationships we develop with potential new candidates for employment and internships.”
