| dc.description.abstract | Wheelchairs are a useful tool that can significantly improve mobility, freedom,
and quality of life for people with mobility impairment either from disability, physical
impairment or just old age. Most people who require a wheelchair will most likely
already own a manual wheelchair as they are inexpensive and easy to operate, which
will satisfy most of the initial demand of the user. However, even with the mobility
given by the manual wheelchair, there still exists a limit to the distance and places that
a regular person can travel to, especially for people who have limited stamina. And
discarding the manual wheelchair to acquire an electric wheelchair will be quite
expensive and wasteful if the manual wheelchair is not going to be used again. To
address this issue, the idea for this project is to further develop and improve a device
that connects to an existing manual wheelchair, transforming it into a low-cost electric
wheelchair. This project modified the mechanical design to improve the driving unit
stability and provide a better connection between the driving unit and the manual
wheelchair. To enhance the functionality and safety of the electric wheelchair, the
project also added some additional features like water proofing controller and power
unit, GPS and fall detection, etc. By combining these accessories and functionalities,
the traditional wheelchair can be transformed into an electric wheelchair that not only
offers enhanced mobility but also incorporates advanced safety measures. This thesis
report presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of these electric wheelchair
accessories based on the force analysis results, simultaneously focusing on their
practicality, usability, and overall impact on the user's quality of life. | en_US |
