Boost

is a wheelchair add-on that provides motorized assist to caregivers pushing individuals with cognitive disabilities.

Intuitive interface for changing power setting without compromising grip

All components clip or screw onto a manual wheelchair for easy, intuitive installation

Moving parts are covered to ensure safety.

Lightweight, detachable battery for easy charging

How does the caregiver activate the motors?

Inner piece is fixed snugly to the handle

Outer piece is free to slide

When pushed, the outer piece presses a button that signals the motors to run

What does this mean?

It's lightweight

The whole system only adds about 14lbs, so the wheelchair can still be lifted when necessary.

It's retrofittable

Everything snaps and screws onto a manual wheelchair. No need to buy a new one.

It's intuitive to use

Just push to engage the motor. It stops when you stop.

Power is adjustable

Whether you need a small boost over a doorway or are pushing up a steep hill, there's a setting for you.

The Process

This section will show how I used the design process and my engineering background to design the user interface and make a works-like model.

By applying what I learned in class, I was able to develop new skills in a hands-on way.

Design research: problem space exploration and data synthesis

Started with interviews

I talked to a lot of people in the disabled community, such as:

Physical/occupational/music therapists

Full-time caregivers and wheelchair users

And even a medical product engineer

I found that...

Full-time caregivers of people with cognitive disabilities need something to help them push wheelchairs up hills and over rough terrain.

Long-term pushing of wheelchairs can lead to pain and injury in the wrists, back, hips, and knees.

Isn't that what powered wheelchairs are for?

Powered wheelchairs are great! They allow independence and increased mobility. However, they are:

Heavy

Caregivers need to load wheelchairs in and out of cars or on public transportation

Expensive

Insurance only covers 1 powered wheelchair every 10 years but...

1 manual wheelchair every 5 years

Dangerous

People with cognitive disabilities don't have the fine motor skills or reaction time to operate a joystick

Neither manual nor powered wheelchairs work for people with cognitive disabilities...

There needs to be something in the middle of being fully motor powered and fully human powered

"I don't mind pushing. I just sometimes want a little extra help like a little BOOST."

- Kaitlyn, caregiver for dad

All of my research led me to this idea of a boost which provides both a literal and figurative assist.

I drew inspiration from e-bikes that aren't fully motorized or user powered, but the
motor helps the user as needed.

This led to my central HMW...

How might we design a wheelchair add-on that makes it work with an assist like an e-bike?

User interface designing: ideating, prototyping, and validation research

It wouldn't be design work without brainstorming on sticky notes

Which were then made into low-fi prototypes for user testing

I found that users wanted...

A secure grip

Hands and feet should not need to move to activate

No digital

Concerned about lag

Movement mimicking

The wheelchair should only move when pushed by the caregiver

Caregivers need to feel in control

This is how I came to create the user interface that:
1.) Only moves when the caregiver is pushing and depresses the button
2.) Doesn't require any new behavior or grip change from the caregiver

Works-like prototype engineering: physics and mechanics

First, I calculated the total power and torque I would need from the motors

Power = 230 W
Torque = 60 Nm

Then I gutted a scooter so I could use the parts for the prototype

I learned a lot about electronics
(and started some fires...)

I used OnShape and 3D printers to make tons of prototypes

Then I assembled everything to make a working prototype

Takeaways: learning and skills

What I learned:

Don't fall in love with a solution before conducting research.
- I thought I was going to build a modified powered wheelchair when I started. I completely changed direction after analyzing my research.

Trial and error are the building blocks of design.
- I had to make so many prototypes and wanted to give up, but I kept going and eventually created ones that worked.

Ask for help or you won't learn.
- I was an engineer in undergrad, but I found that I knew little about mechanics. I had to swallow my pride and rely on my classmates for help, but I understand much better than if I tried to figure it out on my own.

Skills I developed/refined:

Electronics
- RasPi, Circuit Python, Mu Editor

CAD and 3D printing
- OnShape, Bambu Carbon X1, Prusa MK3 and MK4

Fabrication
- Lathe, band saw, hand tools, fasteners

Presenting research and ideas
- Public speaking in front of subject matter experts and laymen

Boost

is a wheelchair add-on that provides motorized assist to caregivers pushing individuals with cognitive disabilities.

How does the caregiver activate the motors?

What does this mean?

The Process

Design research: problem space exploration and data synthesis

Started with interviews

I found that... Full-time caregivers of people with cognitive disabilities need something to help them push wheelchairs up hills and over rough terrain.

Long-term pushing of wheelchairs can lead to pain and injury in the wrists, back, hips, and knees.

Isn't that what powered wheelchairs are for?

Heavy

Expensive

Dangerous

Neither manual nor powered wheelchairs work for people with cognitive disabilities...

There needs to be something in the middle of being fully motor powered and fully human powered

"I don't mind pushing. I just sometimes want a little extra help like a little BOOST." - Kaitlyn, caregiver for dad

All of my research led me to this idea of a boost which provides both a literal and figurative assist. I drew inspiration from e-bikes that aren't fully motorized or user powered, but the motor helps the user as needed.

This led to my central HMW...

How might we design a wheelchair add-on that makes it work with an assist like an e-bike?

User interface designing: ideating, prototyping, and validation research

It wouldn't be design work without brainstorming on sticky notes

Which were then made into low-fi prototypes for user testing

I found that users wanted...

This is how I came to create the user interface that: 1.) Only moves when the caregiver is pushing and depresses the button 2.) Doesn't require any new behavior or grip change from the caregiver

Works-like prototype engineering: physics and mechanics

First, I calculated the total power and torque I would need from the motors Power = 230 W Torque = 60 Nm

Then I gutted a scooter so I could use the parts for the prototype

I learned a lot about electronics (and started some fires...)

I used OnShape and 3D printers to make tons of prototypes

Then I assembled everything to make a working prototype

Takeaways: learning and skills

What I learned:

Don't fall in love with a solution before conducting research.

I thought I was going to build a modified powered wheelchair when I started. I completely changed direction after analyzing my research.

Trial and error are the building blocks of design.

I had to make so many prototypes and wanted to give up, but I kept going and eventually created ones that worked.

Ask for help or you won't learn.

I was an engineer in undergrad, but I found that I knew little about mechanics. I had to swallow my pride and rely on my classmates for help, but I understand much better than if I tried to figure it out on my own.

Skills I developed/refined:

Electronics

RasPi, Circuit Python, Mu Editor

​​

CAD and 3D printing

OnShape, Bambu Carbon X1, Prusa MK3 and MK4

Fabrication

Lathe, band saw, hand tools, fasteners

Presenting research and ideas