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Secondary Mobility Device for Airline Travel

Project Overview

Currently, wheelchair users are not allowed to remain in their personal wheelchairs on airplanes. Personal chairs must be stowed, usually in the cargo area. Therefore users must transfer to a narrow aisle wheelchair and then transfer to their seat when boarding. The reverse is done upon arrival. Immobile travelers may need to be lifted from aisle chair to seat and back. Due to inappropriate training, variations in equipment, or significant disabilities, this could result in injury. At a minimum the entire process is an inconvenience and under certain circumstances can cause embarrassment or stress for disabled travelers.

The goal of this project is to design a secondary wheelchair or device that would eliminate transfers altogether for disabled travelers. Such a device would embolden disabled travelers, reduce the risk of injury, and save time and resources for airlines.

This device would be considered secondary because in theory it would either attach to or sit on top of the user's regular wheelchair. The user would transfer onto the device at home or at their vehicle. Then upon arrival at the airplane door, the wheelchair user would simply release their regular chair to be taken to cargo, while now sitting upon the secondary device which could be rolled to their seat and the user can either remain on the device if it could fit under and on the seat or be lowered down onto their seat and the device stowed on the plane.

This device could also be made available for users at airport check-in or gates if they do not personally own one so as to still eliminate half of the transfers required at the airport.

Team Picture

Team members from left to right: Hannah Fjellman, Noah Trapp, James Tang, Eric Arndt
Team members from left to right: Hannah Fjellman, Noah Trapp, James Tang, Eric Arndt

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Contact Information

Team Members

  • James Tang - Team Leader
  • Hannah Fjellman - Communicator
  • Eric Arndt - BSAC & BPAG
  • Noah Trapp - BWIG

Advisor and Client

  • Dr. Aaron Suminski - Advisor
  • Mr. Dan Dorszynski - Client

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