Vimalraj Pitchaikannan
User Centred Design
Final year project
Retro-Fitted Wheelchair Ramp [Read more]
LUNA
In 2012 Paralympian Sophie Christiansen was trapped on the train due to a lack of staff members available on the platform. She was forced to throw her wheelchair from the train and crawl off. Her story inspired the creation of LUNA.
LUNA in Use
LUNA is a motorised ramp that is retrofitted to a wheelchair. The ramp uses telescopic components to open and close. It will sit comfortably on the wheelchair without being intrusive when the user is moving around. LUNA is for boarding and disembarking a train. Using this ramp will mean that the user will not need to call the station to alert staff to set up a ramp. Instead, the user can show up whenever they want and use LUNA with ease when boarding, allowing for spontaneity and independence.
LUNA's Safety Support
There are ramps on the market that use this telescopic U beam design; however, they are dangerous as they accept both the rear wheels and the castor wheels. This causes the caster wheels to get jammed in between the walls. The LUNA ramp is designed only to allow the rear wheel in the telescopic U beam. It has a separate fold-down section to receive the castor wheel, allowing it to twist freely with no risk of jamming.
This is How LUNA Deploys
The LUNA ramp uses a motor connected to a pulley system to move both gears simultaneously to make the ramp extend and retract. A slip ring is attached to the motor to ensure that the cables do not get tangled when the ramp is in use.
One Directional Bearing (Sprag Clutch)
Using a sprag clutch means that the ramp will only spin in one direction and won’t fall back down when in storage mode. Making it easier to set up and to improve the user experience.
Storage Set Up
When the ramp is closed, the user will store it on the back of the wheelchair with the poles out of the way. The user will still have access to the push ring, allowing for full mobility when going forwards and backwards.
LUNA App
LUNA also comes with an app that will allow the user to look up routes that are the most accessible. The app will also help keep the ramp maintained by teaching the user how to use it correctly. There is also a social media aspect to allow users to share their thoughts and emotions with like-minded users.
The MAKER Table
MAKER is a coffee table that the user can easily transform into a home workout station. The purpose of this is to allow the user to hide their workout equipment in plain sight and keep it in a small storage unit that can act as a coffee table. The MAKER table allows for Squats, deadlifts, bench press, incline bench press, shoulder press and many more.
Vimalraj Pitchaikannan
My interest in inclusivity allows for a research-based approach to produce highly functional user-focused designs.
I enjoy designing products and services that will allow people to have a better user experience using them, including creating new concepts or improving old ones. My final year project LUNA looked at enhancing the experience for wheelchair users when using public transport. LUNA is a ramp that is retrofitted to a wheelchair to provide access when travelling. This idea aims to provide the ability to be spontaneous whenever users desire without the need to call up stations for support. LUNA also provides a community to share routes with other users that are wheelchair accessible. I want a career in user experience design, to engage in the design process and produce new user-centred projects.
Final year project
Retro-Fitted Wheelchair Ramp