User-centred design, evaluation, and refinement of a wireless power wheelchair charging system

Abstract

Purpose

To enable power wheelchair users with limited mobility to safely and independently charge their wheelchairs.

Methods

Stakeholders of multiple roles – including potential users, their caregivers, and clinicians with specifically relevant expertise – were engaged in a user-centred design process. Initial informal interviews, focus groups, online surveys, prototype demonstrations, semi-structured interviews, and expert reviews were utilized to guide development and iteratively evaluate prototypes.

Results

The resulting wireless charging system enables independent charging while also significantly increasing capacity and charging speed. Autonomous positioning and remote control features further address the particular use cases of the target population, and vital features of existing power wheelchairs are retained according to stakeholder input. Pertinent topics emerging from stakeholder input are discussed.

Conclusions

Careful application of user-centred design principles is essential to the successful development of usable assistive technology devices, particularly for target populations with complex disabilities. The diverse perspectives of all relevant stakeholders must be considered and synthesized to produce a practical and usable solution.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Battery charge is a constant and critical concern for power wheelchair users.

• Many power wheelchair users cannot independently use and monitor existing chargers.

• A wireless wheelchair charging system was developed to alleviate this issue.

• Sustained user engagement is crucial in the effective development of such assistive technology.

Keywords:

• Assistive technology
• caregivers
• device design
• human centred design
• inventions
• wheelchairs

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Jim Sandstrum, Greg McGrew, Victoria Haggett, Kelly Waugh, Becky Breaux, Brian Burne, Petra Conaway, Aleaza Goldberg, Regan Zane, Mark Greig, Sunrise Medical (US) LLC, and their stakeholder participants for their valuable insights and contributions.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The contents of this article were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research [NIDILRR Grant number 90IF0116]. NIDILRR is a centre within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this paper do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and one should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.