Development of an Electric Powered Wheelchair to Encourage the Growth of Children with Disabilities

Abstract

Using an electric powered wheelchair for children with severe disabilities at an early stage has been described as beneficial for developing their mobility. However, their scope of potential is limited compared with healthy children because when they move using a powered wheelchair, their line of sight is lower, their arms are required for the operation and their body never masters the ability to balance. The purpose of this study is to develop a powered wheelchair for children with severe disabilities to encourage their development. A new powered wheelchair with a body sensation equal to “two-legged locomotion” was thus produced. The developed prototype function is equipped with “A half standing positioning mechanism,” “An operation system with lower limbs” and “A swaying seat function.” The basic system function was evaluated by a healthy participant, while the required functions were evaluated by a participant child. Consequently, it was confirmed that a line of sight equivalent in height to that of a healthy child was achieved by the half standing position mechanism, the drive of the wheelchair and the workspace expansion of the upper arm by the lower limb operation system and the activation of muscle activity by the swaying seat. Accordingly, it was suggested that the powered wheelchair developed showed the potential to encourage child development.