Wheelchair Mobility Aid Through the Adaptation of Electric Scooters

Abstract

This paper presents a design proposal for the use of an electric scooter to propel a conventional wheelchair. This adaptation will transform a wheelchair into a “handbike” using a scooter-chair hitch. The system allows access to these devices to a greater number of people with mobility assistance needs, mainly in the urban environment, thanks to the use of low-cost mobility devices. Keeping this is mind, the design of a scooter-chair hitch that respects the chair integrity is presented. The new set will allow the electric scooter to pull the chair analogously to the way modern handbikes do. The electric mechanism of the scooter together with the hitch mechanism has been designed under the premises of usefulness without complex ergonomic conditions, simplicity, efficiency, cost, and accessibility to parts, mechanisms and materials.