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 rehabilitationBattery 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.