Quick Trike
name
developed for
field
year
quick trike
studio 2
product dev
2024
an affordable attachment designed to empower manual, rigid wheelchair users to effortlessly traverse gravel surfaces.
01
PROCESS
-background and problem identification
-concept generation
Explored different concepts via sketching and prototyping and validated ideas with users and experts.
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Audio advisory: please set your volume to a lower level before pressing play.
-requirements and
performance measures
Traversing Speed
Compliant
Mechanism
User Autonomy
Compatibility
Mass of Product
Durability
Affordability
Design opportunity
​Following an extensive analysis of user needs, existing market solutions, and stakeholder feedback, it has become clear that a significant opportunity exists to improve all-terrain mobility for manual wheelchair users. The main potential lies in the development of a modular, robust attachment that avoids the high cost and compromises of specialized equipment.
-ideas synthesis
Synthesized and grouped a set of brainstormed ideas into three functional categories to evaluate potential solutions
-compliant attachment
02
FINAL DESIGN
-part images
The attachment is designed to be installed and removed in moments using a simple and secure clamping mechanism. This allows the user to conveniently add the capability for outdoor excursions and detach it for nimble indoor use. The frame is engineered from robust, low-maintenance materials to ensure durability and reliability across various conditions.
base
side
Using a purely mechanical approach eliminates the need for heavy batteries, motors, or complex electronics, keeping the solution lightweight and affordable. This lets users propel themselves in a familiar and intuitive way, simply augmenting the capabilities of their own customized wheelchair. The direct connection to the chair also provides natural feedback from the terrain, allowing the user to feel the ground and maintain a sense of confidence and control.
-assembly
-physical model
-final compliant mechanism attachment
Quick trike
The final design concept is a modular and adaptive mobility system that combines the robust, all-terrain capabilities of a specialized vehicle with the lightweight agility and personalization of a user's everyday manual wheelchair, innovated into a simple and affordable attachment that provides users with on-demand freedom and accessibility.
-video of quick trike in use
Key project values
For the users:
An affordable, robust solution for all-terrain mobility.
Simple, user-friendly modularity for quick attachment.
Renewed freedom to confidently access outdoor environments.
For mobility specialists & therapists
An intuitive, versatile device that simplifies the recommendation and fitting process for their clients.
A non-permanent modification that preserves the wheelchair's original function and portability.
For the industry
An inspiration for human-centered design that directly addresses barriers to community access and recreation.
A new paradigm in adaptive mobility, focusing on affordable enhancements over costly equipment replacements.
