A mechanical engineering Capstone Design team that created a wheelchair with enhanced comfort, speed and control has won a top prize in the Innovative Designs for Accessibility (IDeA) national competition.
The Enhanced Mobility Wheelchair team developed an augmented wheelchair with a novel drive system to provide greater ergonomic support and promote good posture even when the operator is tired. Selectable gear ratios greatly improve motion efficiency on a variety of terrains.
The team, Jon Cameron, Kristian Vande Kemp, Matt Levy, Jared Uramowski and Evan McColl (all BASc ’19, Mechanical), took first place in Architectural/Industrial Design Barriers, one of three categories in the IDeA’s competition.
Team members will receive $5,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Ottawa where they will present their project at the FWD50 Conference this November. FWD50 brings together industry, startups, government, community partners and innovative thinkers to help embrace new technologies and innovations to foster a more inclusive and prosperous Canadian society.
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