Transport wheelchairs, while light and low-cost, typically require outside assistance and have trouble going over uneven surfaces and rough terrain. While electric wheelchairs are easier to maneuver in these situations, they are more expensive and very difficult to transport.
To find the middle ground between these two options, North Carolina State University ECE Senior Design has teamed up with Project Access of Durham County & Orange County Department on Aging to create an electric assist for wheelchairs. The device provides electric assistance to caregivers pushing wheelchairs to make movement easier and improve accessibility. The wheelchair is then still portable with better handling.
The device attaches to a wheelchair, with a motor, electronic speed controller, and batteries. There is a user interface placed on the back of the wheelchair for caregiver access that displays power and errors, as well as the battery charge level.
The project will continue to operate under the umbrella of NCSU ECE Senior Design until the product is in the market.
This project has been given a grant of $3,750 as part of EPICS in IEEE’s Access and Abilities Competition.
Check out our latest article on this project!
NC State EPICS in IEEE Teams Give Project Updates to the IEEE Eastern Carolina Section