Periodic Reporting for period 1 - STRINGHANDBIKE (Innovative push-pull wheelchair accessory to provide mobility, rehabilitation and leisure activities for much more disabled people than today) Reporting period: 2019-07-01 to 2020-08-31 Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project In the spring of 2019 Stringbike Ltd. was successful in their bid for the EU H2020 tender, with their Innovative Push-Pull Wheelchair Accessory products. The project is at the halfway stage with the products now fully developed and currently being tested by potential clients, while we are investigating to be approved for subsidies by the various healthcare authorities.Innovation, Rehabilitation, Mobility, Free-time, SportStringHandbikeThe StringHandbike is an innovative, wheelchair specific auxiliary drive attachment. It is offered as either multi-geared (Delta model) or single speed (Slim model). The attachment docks to the customers own wheelchair with the aid of the universal Docking Adapter, giving a novel experience for all, whether just rolling along slowly or at speed.Beyond the basic mobility function, it opens opportunities, which were considered up until now as impossible, both in free-time activities and in the rehabilitation sphere. Can be used equally in and outdoor (Slim model).Operation: The StringHandbike differs from the chain handbike, the drive and the handlebar are activated by a push and pull movement. As the drive bar also acts as the handlebar it provides for an extremely, yet safe usage. The „push and pull” drive is unique in its ability to operate with even the smallest amount of physical energy. It can be operated using a few fingers or wrist therefore proving a useful tool for rehabilitation and mobility and physical strength development. Design: The drive is clean, totally oil and lubricant free, and silent due to the unique StringDrive. The string can be changed, as needed, easily and without tools, within 5 minutes. The StringDrive is a dual drive, like a fork on each side, each producing energy independently of the other. The 2 separate switches positioned on the handlebar adjust the power transmission and the speed (Delta model). The universal docking mechanism connects to the wheelchair at four points and it can remain in place even when the StringDrive attachment is not in use. Advantages: Stringhandbike exercises the complete upper body, the chest and back muscles along with the abdominal and shoulder muscles. Shoulder and arm joints are put under less stress than when using a traditional cycling rotation mechanism, therefore those who are generally unable to operate a traditional handbike (e.g. Parkinson’s) can no longer do so. With the development and subsequent maintenance of these muscles, mobility improves and offers potential of muscle retraining. The Slim model is single-geared, lightweight, compact in design and the world’s first one-hand operated handbike. When used for therapy it can offer a variety of interesting indoor and outdoor sessions. StringchairThe StringChair model is an arm-driven mechanism which attaches to a wheelchair. Parts: the wheel hub with attached string drum, the drive string, the drive arms with adjustable drive strength. The power of each drive is adjusted individually. Compatibility: The StringChair can be used with both normal and active wheelchairs.Operation: To move the wheelchair the arms are pushed forward. From their normal position, pulling backwards acts as the brake. The independent operation of the arms, one forward (drive), one backward (brake) will turn the wheelchair. This movement allows for easy manoeuvres and turning around. The original wheelchair functions are also available.Advantages: Driving a traditional wheelchair, arms/elbows need to be positioned (elbows raised) behind the body, using a pulsating (thrusting) movement. This stresses the shoulder joints and is an unnatural movement for upper body and arm muscles. People suffering from certain illnesses or those whose age limits their movement, can find this extremely hard and exhausting, in many cases impossible. StringChair returns the arm position, to that dictated by evolution for everyday usual movements and the „thrusting” is replaced with a smooth, continuous movement. The joints are treated kindly and the twisted body position ceases.The string offers a soft, smooth, vibration free driving experience. Drive Arms: The upper part of the drive arm can be pulled out from the lower section; this way the traditional wheelchair’s physical dimensions are not affected. Climbing into the wheelchair is also not affected. The form of the drive arm can easily be customised. Power Generation: With the wheelchair in a standing position, the drive drums can be finely adjusted to achieve the required effort and speed. Stringbike Ltd.Registered in Hungary. The Company specialises in bicycle, handbike and disability device design, manufacture and distribution. Development is based in Budapest and manufacture is in Hungary. Stringdrive Power StringDrive is a world patent owned Stringbike Ltd. StringBike Ltd. has a broad patent portfolio which includes drive elements, drive systems and application areas (bicycles, handbikes, Stringchair, exercise equipment). Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far The first series have been manufactured and health authorities, disability associations along with some individual users are currently testing them. We will collect and consolidate their findings for the final design.In Hungary, the process of qualifying as a health authority subsidised product has begun.Due to COVID 19 the original 24 month planned project has already been impacted, with a delay of 6 months, as the health authorities are overwhelmed at this time. According to the plans a significant part of the technical tasks have been developed: ergonomic improvements, maximisation of the drive experience, adaptation of the foot space design to customer needs, implementation of a high degree of customizability. An important consideration was the greatest possible universality in terms of wheelchair fit, which was achieved through the development of a multi-freedom universal dock. Weight reduction was achieved by using components weighing less than 8Kg, aiding self-mobility of the handbike for users. The development of the handbike line of products is designed to cater to all abilities and differing expectations. We have begun looking for partners for international distribution and sales, having already found and started working with one in England. Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far) Our aim is to reach the widest circle of physical disability conditions whatever the physical limitations, type of disability/illness. Our innovative products have a number of unique features that offer answers that the current solutions available on the market either cannot meet at all or can, but at the cost of unacceptable compromise ( price, weight, size, movement mechanics...). Our goal is to be a major contributor to the development of equal opportunities and applicable rehabilitation therapies. We also aim to enter the state subsidised national health systems where our innovative products will become known through medical recommendation and available to the widest possible audience. In Europe alone there are 2.5 million wheelchair users and even more with reduced mobility. We estimate 10% are potential end-users.
