Design and Development of Motorized Wheelchair for Physically Challenged

A wheelchair is a manoevarable chair used for ambulating people. The device comes in different varients such as manual propulsion by the seated occupant rotating the rim provided on the rear wheels and electrical propulsion. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to push the chair. Wheelchairs are used by people who find it difficult to walk due to illness, injury, or disability

The wheel chair is divided into two different types based on power used for mobility. 1. Manually powered wheelchair 2. Electric Wheelchair Manually powered wheelchairs are driven by manual power which is again classified into fixed or foldable with or without commode. Electric wheelchair runs with electric power however manual operation is required to operate the joystick for the movement of the chair. The redesign of manual wheelchair and automated movement was considered for this project.

The design process started with a primary research and identified the needs of physically challenged people. Data collection was carried out by adopting methodologies such as literature review, product study, market study, and product environment study. Benchmarking was carried out to understand similar products in market. Interviews were conducted with physically challenged people to understand their needs and aspiration. Ergonomic study was conducted to gather data on Wheelchairs. QFD and PDS were generated based upon data analysis. Concepts were generated with respect to derived PDS and shortlisted by participatory method. Various issues and needs were identified through data collection and has been addressed while developing the concepts. A final concept was selected by weighted ranking method.

A scale of 1: 1 model was made to validate the final concept and feedback was collected from physically challenged persons. Major user needs such as ergonomics, functionality and aesthetics were addressed in the final design. User response on the final design was positive and satisfactory.