Abstract
This work is part of the project called “Gölem project”, started in 2017, about special devices developed to enable the so-called Accessible Tourism. This project aims to design and develop a trekking wheelchair for people with impaired mobility. After an initial phase of design and prototyping, the testing phase has now begun. The objective is to validate several aspects of the design, concerning basic kinematics and dynamics, passenger comfort and physical effort of the carriers. This paper describes the development of qualitative tests for drivability and balance validation of this first prototype. At this stage, a list of features to be investigated was made, suitable trekking paths were chosen, and qualitative experimental field tests were performed. Then, the design of the prototype was modified according to these first experimental results, to improve the wheelchair characteristics. The prototype is now undergoing the modification phase, then further testing will be performed with the use of specific instrumental devices to evaluate the wheelchair itself and to perform the kinematic, dynamical, and comfort characterization.
Highlights
The presented project fits into this context of growing interest in Accessible Tourism (AT), and aims to describe the design, manufacturing, and testing of a special wheelchair for people with impaired mobility to use in AT activities, developed by the University of Brescia and named the “Gölem project” [11]
12% compared to the 27 kg mass of the one-wheeled model with fixed handlebars that can be found on the market
This paper presented the progress of the Gölem project concerning the construction of a trekking wheelchair to transport disabled people along mountain paths
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. The presented project fits into this context of growing interest in AT, and aims to describe the design, manufacturing, and testing of a special wheelchair for people with impaired mobility to use in AT activities, developed by the University of Brescia and named the “Gölem project” [11]. This peculiar name refers to the local dialect version.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have