Human Factors in All-Terrain Wheelchair Design for Rural Population

Active tourism improves human health and well-being regardless of age or disabilities. The paper analyses and describes current issues concerning the tourism of people with disabilities. The starting point is the currently insufficient availability of tourist offers for individuals with considerable motor dysfunctions. One of the causes for these limitations stems from deficiencies in transport means for people with disabilities. It was found that for a disabled passenger using public transport, it is crucial to consider its accessibility in the context of the entire transport system. Another cause is the limited popularity of innovative, atypical assistive equipment for people with disabilities. Those insights point out that novel assistive technologies need to be developed, as it is necessary to more effectively support the activity of people with disabilities in all areas of life, including tourism, as this enhances their social rehabilitation. This paper indicates the needs and describes and analyses examples of own original, innovative devices supporting the areas mentioned above of activity for people with disabilities. These analyses resulted in developing an algorithm to design innovative equipment, considerably expanding the tourism potential of people with motor disabilities. This design process focuses on the needs of people with disabilities and facilitates the development of novel classes of assistive technologies, thus promoting new areas of activity for all.

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“…Wheelchairs and electric or combustion engine vehicles to travel over boggy terrain (with multiple wheel or caterpillar track systems) [ 40 ];…”

Section: Diagnosis Of Needs: Challenges In the Field Of Active Touris...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Designing Innovative Assistive Technology Devices for Tourism

Zabłocki

Branowski²,

Kurczewski

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…This work represents the second part of the design process for an all-terrain wheelchair previously made (Chacon et al, 2020a;Chacon et al, 2020b) by the work team. The aim of this study is to design an AZ31 magnesium alloy all-terrain wheelchair with a magnesium alloy frame that reduces the weight of the system, an efficient propulsion mechanism for uneven terrain, and its adaptation to the ergonomic requirements of users that meets usability and technical tests established in the ISO 7176 standard (International Organization for Standardization, 2014Standardization, , 2015.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and testing of an allterrain wheelchair built with light magnesium alloy to improve the mobility of the rural population

Chacón-Cifuentes,

Valencia-Escobar,

Zuleta-Gil

et al. 2024

kepes

Self Cite

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The objective of this work was to design and test an all-terrain wheelchair for the rural population, implementing an AZ31 magnesium alloy and a lever propulsion mechanism to reduce the effort made during mobility. Two wheelchair prototypes were evaluated under the ISO7176 standard and usability testing. To validate the fact that the wheelchair weight reduction represents a benefit, a repeated measures study was carried out to establish the effect of the material change on mobility efficiency. The tests were carried out in an academic campus in Colombia in an open space with a surface covered with grass, unevenness, and other obstacles to emulate the conditions of a rural environment. A convenience sample was used, randomly selecting 17 subjects from the academic community without disabilities or overweight. Two prototypes were manufactured, one in aluminum and the second in magnesium alloy. For the study of repeated measurements, each participant had to complete three tests with both prototypes: a short-dis ance test, an obstacles test, and a long-distance test, which were performed randomly. The magnesium alloy prototype achieved a 25% weight reduction. In ISO7176 testing, both prototypes maintained their structural integrity and functionality. Also, with a confidence of 95%, it was possible to establish that with the magnesium prototype, the users traveled a greater distance in the same time. The new design meets the needs of mobility, support, and comfort of users, making efficient use of magnesium alloy. Weight reduction in the wheelchair allows the user to save time on mobility or cover greater distances with less physical effort. This is a starting point to offer a contextualized and affordable product to the Latin American population.

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“…Today, the development of new products is receiving more and more attention, especially regarding design aspects that are closely related to "design for all", "user-centered design", and "eco-design" methods [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. In fact, several products are designed from scratch or redesigned to consider user's needs, inclusion, and general environmental sustainability aspects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prototyping, Testing, and Redesign of a Three-Wheel Trekking Wheelchair for Accessible Tourism Applications

et al. 2021

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This work is part of the project called “Gölem project”, started in 2017, about special devices developed to enable the so-called Accessible Tourism. This project aims to design and develop a trekking wheelchair for people with impaired mobility. After an initial phase of design and prototyping, the testing phase has now begun. The objective is to validate several aspects of the design, concerning basic kinematics and dynamics, passenger comfort and physical effort of the carriers. This paper describes the development of qualitative tests for drivability and balance validation of this first prototype. At this stage, a list of features to be investigated was made, suitable trekking paths were chosen, and qualitative experimental field tests were performed. Then, the design of the prototype was modified according to these first experimental results, to improve the wheelchair characteristics. The prototype is now undergoing the modification phase, then further testing will be performed with the use of specific instrumental devices to evaluate the wheelchair itself and to perform the kinematic, dynamical, and comfort characterization.

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Human Factors in All-Terrain Wheelchair Design for Rural Population

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

Designing Innovative Assistive Technology Devices for Tourism

Designing Innovative Assistive Technology Devices for Tourism

Development and testing of an allterrain wheelchair built with light magnesium alloy to improve the mobility of the rural population

Prototyping, Testing, and Redesign of a Three-Wheel Trekking Wheelchair for Accessible Tourism Applications

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