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Team 1 is working in conjunction with Dr. Shipman to analyze, from a patient perspective, the limitations inherent in the current wheelchair design, and then to minimize these limitations through innovative designs, materials and concepts formerly not applied to current wheelchair technology. Minimal cost and ease of fabrication are the two primary areas of interest, enabling eventual use in developing countries.
The manufacture of the updated design will afford paraplegic users increased safety, enhanced mobility and control, lowered cost and improved mechanical abilities. Specifically, it is required that the design include the addition of a functional braking system and adjustable seat height mechanism, modifications to the material design, and improvements to both the existing seating comfort and the current manual acceleration system.
Phase I of the project takes place during the Spring 2007 semester and consists of research, project proposal, and initial device design. In order to design and fabricate a wheelchair that resolves issues common for current users, interviews with paraplegic wheelchair users are also conducted during Phase I of the project. Phase II will encompass the final redesign and construction of the device, following the preliminary design review.
