Stephen and Lani's Research Funds

Stephen and Lani are both student cyber security researchers who are trying to innovate the future. We were among the first to exploit a power wheelchair physically and since then, we have begun improving this research. We are working on making power-wheelchairs autonomous (self-driving) and are also looking into the possibility of using Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) to make wheelchairs operable with your mind. Our research has opened many doors in multiple areas like information security, medical device hacking, and helped to earn presenting spots in globally recognized conferences like DEFCON, GeekPwn, and Kaspersky Security Analyst Summit.

 
Why Your Help Matters:

 We are revolutionizing the future for medical devices by doing critical research. We are ethical white-hat hackers who are trying to improve the lives of all technology users. For anyone who knows us, we are both incredibly hard workers and ambitious in our pursuits. We have hearts of gold and want to make the world a more universal and accessible place for all.

This campaign was created to help support our research costs. We want to change the world, but our research has been outside the realm of our affordability as new researchers. This campaign includes an itemized list of the equipment and costs associated with our projects.

 
 About Us:

Stephen Chavez has a rare brain condition called schizencephaly, and is missing a large portion of his brain. He was to be a vegetable for the rest of his life, but to the doctor’s disbelief, he had an abnormally high complexity of thinking despite a lack of motor skills. He has been in a wheelchair his whole life, but that has not stopped him from pursuing his dreams. He attained a degree in computer science and math, and specializes in information security and software engineering. He likes to work on interesting problems that improve his life and as well as others who may not be able to fix themselves. This helped him find a passion and a desire to help secure medical devices. He and Lani have a unique team dynamic and communication style; they can effectively exchange ideas with minimal verbal cues. Stephen can hear and understand, but he cannot speak and must type on his computer to respond.

 Lani Rupp holds a Master’s degree in Information Systems and Cyber Security and a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Computer Information Systems. Her passion for art coincides with her approach to technology. She likes to challenge status quos and look at things from a unique perspective. Her adventurous spirit and creativity allow her to take risks in exploring ideas and new technologies. She discovered a love for public speaking and networking after presenting at GeekPwn cyber security conference in Shanghai, China. She and Stephen have been working together for 6 years as a dynamic, unified team to improve their skills and develop new research.
 

What We Need:

1.       Equipment:
a.       Used power-wheelchair: $2,900 to $4,000
b.      Extra chair parts:
                                2 Joysticks: $580
                                Bluetooth module: $150                              
                                R-Net programmer: $699
                                R-Net 4 outlet: $20
c.       Emotiv epoc+: $800
d.      2 IDA Pro named licenses: $2,258
e.      Sensors: $650
f.        ChipWhisperer Pro Version: $800
g.       Rigol DS1074Z-S Plus 70 MHz Digital Oscilloscope with 4 Channels: $869
h.      Orange5 Programming Device: $1,250
i.         3 Mc9s12c128 (package 80qfp) Chips: $15
j.        Breakout board as needed: $10

2.       Travels funds:
a.       RTD Access-a-ride: $8,400
8.50 * 2 trips = 17.00 + 0.50 tax, two rides for 1 day to boulder.
                17.50 * 5 days = $87.5
                87.50 * 4 weeks = $350
                350.00 * 12 months = $4,200
                4,200 * 2 persons = $8,400

 b.      Conventions: $3,000 We are becoming internationally recognized and invited to cyber security conferences across the globe. The costs associated with attending these conventions and presenting our research include flights, hotels, transportation, and food. We are sharing our groundbreaking ideas and networking in the industry to progress technology and this support helps us get there.

3. Wheelchair accessible vehicle: $20,000 This one is a little far-fetched, but in the future, we’d like to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle for Stephen. It has been a huge challenge taking the RTD access-a-ride because it is costly and unreliable. The buses break down frequently, leaving Stephen stranded, and their scheduling is inefficient, causing tardiness for important events.

4. Hackerspace Facility Fees: $1,000 We also work with a team at Solid State Depot, a hackerspace in Boulder, CO. They have been outrageously supportive in our projects and provided us with a space to work and network among other brilliant minds. The facility is a space that is member-funded and a place to share equipment. We would like to give back to them to help their costs of operation.

 

With your help, we are revolutionizing mankind. Working with technology is not cheap and both of us couldn’t do what we do without our incredible support network. We appreciate all the backing from an amazing community, and promise to do great things.
 

Thanks!

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Media mention:
https://youtu.be/rHtVKjCvxac

http://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2016/08/06/hacking-wheelchairs-xbox-def-con-zero-security/

http://www.9news.com/news/local/storytellers/storytellers-msu-denvers-hotshot-hacker/370552323

http://yourhub.denverpost.com/blog/2016/11/hotshot-hacker/164471/

https://msudenver.edu/newsroom/news/2016/october/24-stephen-chavez-hacker.shtml

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C0-vXI56D4&feature=youtu.be

https://youtu.be/782Gnr8oPuY