TRANSPORTATION WHEELCHAIR WITH HIGH IMPACT SAFETY AND ADVANCED SENSOR COMFORTABILITY FOR PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY PROBLEMS

Objective

Mobility-impaired individuals can rarely use a wheelchair all the way from home to the place of work or recreation and back again. TRANSWHEEL targets three aspects of wheelchair development: transport safety, comfort, and adaptability. A CAD/CAM redesign will produce a light-weight transportable wheelchair capable of ensuring the same safety as a seat in standard transport, with enhanced manoeuvrability allowing the user to adjust its height and position to perform routine tasks while travelling (store luggage, open the window, use a train table, etc.). A vehicle seat will also be developed, to address the needs of people with lower limb and torso disabilities not using a wheelchair. A prototype wheelchair and car seat will be developed, for use in both laboratory and user trials, and design guidelines and a code of good practice will be widely disseminated.

Programme(s)

• FP4-TELEMATICS 2C - Specific programme of research and technological development and demonstration in the area of telematic applications of common interest, 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• C.8 - Telematics Applications for Disabled and Elderly People

Coordinator

HELGECO S.A.

Address

I. Metaxa 8, Ag. Dimitrios
17343 Athens
Greece

Participants (4)

Fiat Auto SpA

Italy

Address

Corso G. Agnelli 200
10135 Torino

Guidosimplex

Italy

Address

81010 Vallelunga Caserta

KUL Laboratory and Internal Hospital Transport

Belgium

Address

Leuven

N.I.R.H., "Iniochos" Centre

Greece

Address

Ilion