What We Need To Do

What We Need to Do

In order to make our visions of a new sleek innovative wheelchair come true we have to re-think the idea. Adding robotic arms, lifts, hydraulics, pneumatics, gyroscopes, etc. to a wheelchair increases its size and bulk, and size and bulk is already a problem. We propose two things: First research and identify basic problems and come up with solutions; then develop smaller technology to provide the same solution. Look at what has been done with the computer in just the last 50 years. It has gone from gigantic to miniature. We could do the same for the wheelchair design. We also need to concentrate on the human element providing designs that consider the independence and dignity of the user. People who are disabled don't need to be reminded of it. The technology should be a tool that provides the person with needed help but doesn't detract from their quality of life. The more invisible the technology the better it is.

A Day In the Chair
To understand just what we need to do in order to produce a better wheelchair, we first need to fully understand the problem. If you've never been in a wheelchair, then you don't really understand. To get a better idea of what life is like for the wheelchair bound, one of the Botball team volunteered to spend a day at school confined to a wheelchair. This is what was learned from the experience. When I first volunteered I thought, "This is going to be easy. I see kids every day sitting down and riding in their wheelchair." Little did I know what was a head of me. My first task was finding a place to put my backpack. One kid told me to put it on the back. Well I couldn't reach back there, and I couldn't have any assistance. It ended up in the last place anyone would have it, on my lap.
My first obstacle was opening and going through doors. It was harder than usual because I am a lot lower to the ground in the wheel chair. Once you're through it's also hard to hold the door open to get into the class. Doors that push out were easier. I could just push the chair through, but the doors I had to pull in were harder. You have to position the chair just right and reach way out. For people who have limited arm movement it would be a difficult task.
Another obstacle I encountered was going down the crowded hallways. People would run in front of me. This was hard because I would have to stop very fast. It was very hard to stop that fast. My friends helped me a lot although it was hard. Other kids made fun of me. Normally I stick up for myself, but sitting in a wheelchair made me feel much more vulnerable. There isn't a lot that you can do from a sitting position.
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In every class there was the problem of getting to my desk. Some of the desks had attached chairs so I couldn't get near them with my chair. I had to either go to a table or try and transfer from my wheelchair to my desk chair. I used my legs at first, but I realized that some people really in wheelchair wouldn't have that option, I tried to get from the wheelchair without putting any weight on my legs. It was hard.
One issues is independence. I couldn't buy lunch by myself because the wheelchair wouldn't fit into the line because of the metal bars. I also had to look for a space at the picnic tables that the wheelchair could fit.
Getting down to the playing field was not easy. I went over to the steps, but of course, I wasn't taking the chair down there. Our school has a ramp but it is a long incline, easy to go down, but much harder to go up. It was a long way. This was after lunch and by this time my arms were getting tired. Moving the chair on the grass field was also very hard and tiring.

At the end of the day, my arms were very sore. When I stood up it took me a few minutes to regain my balance. During this experience I learned how hard it must be to live everyday in a wheelchair. Now every time I see a person in a wheelchair I will be more appreciative of how they feel about things. We also learned about many practical problems associated with life in a wheelchair. Identifying these problems is the only way to come up with solutions.
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Plan for Design
1. Research:

The first step to solve any issue is to do research. In the area of wheelchairs, we need to know what kinds of people use wheelchairs and what are their limitations. Creating a design for a chair that the user must use a joystick works fine for some people, but not for those who don't have use of their arms or hands. Categorizing limitations and needs helps to know how many different designs you might need to solve a problem. Surveys, interviews, simulations, and product reviews can aid in researching. Gathering as much information on the subject, the science behind the subject, the technology associated with the subject, and the people who will use the final product is the key. You must also take into account the perspective of the individuals who will use the product.
2. Identify Problems:

During the research process information is gathered about needs. From this you can identify problems that need to be fixed. Be specific. Understanding the problem is the most important thing when it comes to a solution. As an example: During our research simulation, our student learned that she didn't have any where to put her back pack while sitting in the wheelchair. This is a specific problem - just where do you carry such a large item while sitting in a chair? Then as you come up with new designs you have to consider this problem. You might be designing a chair or a stand-up device or an exoskeleton, but no matter, you have to consider where you can carry things.
3. Create Solutions:

Once you understand the specific problems you can come up with solutions. In a wheelchair design, you know that you can't put the pack on the sides because you have to get through small places or doors. You could hang the backpack on the back of the chair. But that creates another problem - how do you get to it? So the pack needs to move from the back to the side in order to reach in it. Your solution might be a pivoting arm that holds the pack in the back of the chair until you push a button or a lever and it moves around to the side where you can reach it. Now which side? Since you don't know where the chair will be, both sides would be useful.
4. Design and Test:

So create a movable arm that holds the pack in the back of the chair and can move either to the left or right side for access. Now what do you attach the arm to and what do you move it with and how is it accessed? Solve that and you've got your design that creates your solution. Next step is to create a prototype and test it in lab first and then in actual real life settings. You will probably discover and solve many problems along the way, but that's what will create the real practical solution to the problem.
5. Integrate:

Take all of the design solutions and integrate them into a single unit. Then you can start to work on the real problem of making the wheelchair smaller, friendlier, and easier to use. They should be kind of invisible in a sense. When we see a person using a wheelchair the first thought that comes into our mind should NOT be, "Oh look, he's in a wheelchair."
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