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Solo is a manual wheelchair with electric assist

The concept

The Solo Electric Wheelchair Concept provides users with the same ease of use as an electrical wheelchair without compromising on the functionality provided by manual wheelchairs. The wheelchair is designed to be foldable into a compact mass for easy storage and transport. The concept provides users with the mobility of manual wheelchair with its premium ergonomic design being enhanced by the electrical assist system that also improves its range. The Solo Electric Wheelchair Concept also focuses on avoiding the medical use like feel of ordinary manual and electrical wheelchair and its aesthetics focus on destigmatizing wheelchair use.

Solo Hybrid Wheelchair

The Target

The core user of the Solo Electric Wheelchair Concept would be a person who uses a car to travel frequently and is an avid outdoors person. The target user for the Solo Electric Wheelchair Concept would be someone who is used to a manual wheelchair and has the upper body strength to maneuver one through the course of their day the office or at home.

The need

The target user of the Solo Electric Wheelchair Concept would preferably like to commute to short distances without using a car but doesn’t have the strength or the time to push a manual wheelchair through that distance everyday. Since this user also like the ease of use that a manual wheelchair brings, the Solo Electric Wheelchair Concept could be a great middle ground alternative for them. Most manual wheelchairs have a limited range and most electric wheelchairs are not foldable. In a manual foldable wheelchair, lack of back support prevents users from sitting in them for longer durations without getting uncomfortable.

The solution

Since the target user of the Solo Electric Wheelchair Concept doesn’t like the medical-device like look and feel of regular electrical wheelchairs, they would not like to invest in a heavily mechanized wheelchair that does not offer them the freedom to move around like a manual wheelchair does. However, since the Solo Electric Wheelchair Concept comes with improved aesthetics that bypass the medical device like feel, users are able to bond with it on an emotional level without being reminded of them handicap. Also equipped with electrical assist, the Solo Electric Wheelchair Concept allows the user to freely switch from electric mode to manual mode. The ergonomic wheelchair can also be used for longer durations without any discomfort. When the user pushes the wheelchair manually, the assist adds an extra push so users can get their daily exercise in without overexerting themselves.

Key features

The Solo Electric Wheelchair Concept is fitted with a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) that regenerates power and recharges the battery when user brakes while going downhill. An auto braking system prevents users from rolling backwards when going up a slope and stops the wheelchair when the user stops pushing it. The Solo Electric Wheelchair Concept is powered by a 24 volt lithium battery and features a compact folding form. Castor wheels are attached to the high strength retractable aluminum spine to offer the wheelchair a greater power to weight ratio. The lightweight and ergonomic wheelchair features an injection molded polymer mesh which allows the wheelchair to be easily folded.

Source: Oystein Husby

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