Concept and system design of one-seater car to give mobility freedom to persons with reduced mobility

—Proposal of “platinum car”—

Abstract

In view of a rapidly aging society, vehicles for senior people are strongly hoped to fulfill competing requirements, i.e., to provide safe and comfortable mobility means and at the same time to minimize the risk of traffic accidents. To develop such a vehicle that meets these requirements, this paper starts with the analysis of traffic accidents and then proceeds to concept construction followed by a system design within the legal limit of an electric wheelchair. The proposed vehicle, hereinafter called “platinum car,” which has a higher safety structure for traffic accidents, can be realized within the regulations of an electric wheelchair that does not require a driver's license. We designed the system, and quantified the performance. We conducted mockup verification and a questionnaire survey. We proved that a person with 180 cm height and 95 kg weight could use the vehicle. In the questionnaire survey, the most urgent request of the users was a roof. The concept of this proposal has the possibility to be accepted by vulnerable people. The scenario to spread the platinum car is discussed also.