Flexible and effective solution for people with motor disabilities

Project Information

E-Solution

Grant agreement ID: 889522

DOI

10.3030/889522

Project closed

EC signature date 28 November 2019

Start date 1 November 2019

End date 31 August 2020

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

DECON WHEEL AB
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - E-Solution (Flexible and effective solution for people with motor disabilities)

Reporting period: 2019-11-01 to 2020-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Today, 10 to 15% of the world’s population lives with disabilities. For many of them, the wheelchair is one of the most useful assistive devices for enhancing personal mobility. Recent studies indicate that about 1% of the world population, i.e. circa 75 million people, suffer from motor disabilities requiring the use of a wheelchair.

The overall objective of this project was to further develop and optimise our business plan to commercialise and sell our novel, flexible and effective solution – E-Axle. E-Axle is an electrical add-on drive system for manual wheelchairs that will give the user assisting power when using the wheelchair.

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 project covered technical and market feasibility assessments and led to the development of a long-term business plan. The study has highlighted a strong and unfulfilled demand for an electrical add-on drive system. The feedback gathered has allowed Decon to map the value proposition and estimate what still needs to be done to enhance the offering and the underlining technology. We have conducted tests of different components from selected suppliers with promising results.

The strategic business review allowed for further study of the competitive landscape and led to strengthening Decon’s strategy for market entry. We have identified several important partners and suppliers. We have also refined and strengthened our business plan and go to market strategy,
enabling reaching our financial and commercialisation targets. The established strategy on how to engage with external partners will support the product’s international expansion and the company’s growth.

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)

Decon’s electrical add-on drive system for manual wheelchairs has the potential to disrupt the
wheelchair market as there are no commercially available products offering such a demanded solution. E-Axle will increase flexibility and improve possibilities for consumers to move freely, which will result in greater mental health for people in wheelchairs and reduce societal costs.