Confy Trike
Introduction
This project was started by Prof. Nishant Sharma at IDC. His previous experience of using a standard tricycle encouraged him to come up with a design for providing a better-designed product for paraplegics in the Indian market.
Context
In India, a large number of people are suffering from paraplegia, which is an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities. Their limited mobility ultimately leads to underprivileged livelihood. So professor wanted to provide a mobility solution that will give a different identity rather than sympathy to paraplegics & will make them more confident.
My role
As a Research Assistant for this project, I had to procure the electric kit from the vendors and assemble it for the electric version of the tricycle. I went through design updates, testing, and visiting NGO for user testing and their feedback.
Target Users
Paraplegic
A condition where a person is unable to voluntarily move the lower parts of the body
One-leg amputated
A condition with absence of one leg due to medical conditions or injury
Both-leg amputated
A condition with absence of both the legs because of medical conditions or injury
Astasis
A condition with a lack of motor coordination and results in inability to stand, walk and sit without assistance
Tricycle
This hand-tricycle is the result of our efforts toward paraplegic population and provide them with an attractive and self reliant mobility solution.
With the support of Ministry of Human Resource Development, we have designed this human-powered mobility vehicle which is light weight, modular and weatherproof.
Its ergonomic design makes it user friendly in terms of visibility, accessibility, peddling, gear shifting, braking, etc.
The tricycle offers dual handles with proper mechanical advantage in terms of gears for pedalling action to gain higher initial torque and has capability to climb up slopes and move in undulated terrains.
Also it offers good visibility and the windscreen and roof above adds on to increased protection.
Assembly allows an easy access of all controls without shifting hands from pedal. Also it is able to shift from peddling to rowing and vice-versa
It has a modular and light weight structure.
It has added features like seat-adjustability for reach, comfortable footrest with strapping, luggage box and seat belt. Also it has an additional crutch holder at the rear.
It allows ease of transfer from wheelchair, crutches, and low mobility devices and is comfortable for long hours.
Phase 1 - Research
Low powered electric vehicles that are equipped with a 250W motor and capable of running at a top speed of not more than 25 kmph, can be rode without a license, vehicle registration and insurance as per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR)
It’s best to have a third party insurance cover for any damages
Market Research
Virtus motors
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250W BLDC hub motor
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36V 10.4Ah li-ion battery
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Torque: 19 Nm
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Load capacity: 150 kg
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Gross weight: 15 kg
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Speed: 25 km/hr
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Range: 40 kms/charge
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PAS: NA
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Single speed gear
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₹ 39,000
Virtus motors
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350W 36V BLDC hub motor
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36V 33Ah SMF lead-acid battery
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Load capacity: 120 kg
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Gross weight: 60 kg
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Speed: 25 km/hr
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Range: 75 kms/charge
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PAS: NA
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₹ 40,000
ALIMCO
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260W 24V hub motor
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24V 33Ah SMF lead-acid battery
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Load capacity: 80 kg
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Gross weight: 60 kg
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Speed: 22 km/hr
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Range: 45 kms/charge
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PAS: NA
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Optional utility box
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₹ 28,000
ALIMCO
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350W 36V BLDC hub motor
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36V 33Ah SMF lead-acid battery
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Load capacity: 120 kg
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Gross weight: 60 kg
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Speed: 25 km/hr
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Range: 75 kms/charge
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PAS: NA
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₹ 45,000
VJTI
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260W 48V hub motor
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48V 26Ah lead-acid battery
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Load capacity: 80 kg
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Gross weight: 60 kg
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Speed: 22 km/hr
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Range: 45 kms/charge
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PAS: NA
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Optional utility box
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₹ 33,000
VJTI
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350W 48V DC hub motor
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48V 150Ah SMF lead-acid battery
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Load capacity: 100 kg
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Gross weight: 50 kg
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Speed: 25 km/hr
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Range: 30 kms/charge
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PAS: NA
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₹39,000
Kit Requirements
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36V 250W Hum motor Kit
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36V Li-ion 20Ah battery
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Battery charger
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Turning indicators
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Battery indicators
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PAS 3-level kit
Phase 2 - Procurement of Kit
Procured parts from the vendor GOGOA1
Phase 3 - Assembly
Wiring harness for the electric kit assembly
Phase 4 - Testing
Visit to NGO
Spark Minda Group
The main aim of organization is to work for community development by catering to Education, Livelihood Promotion, Women Empowerment, the Facilitation of Healthcare, Upliftment of People with disabilities, and sustaining the Environment.
We visited Saksham Divyang Empowerment Centre in Pune where we have to connect to the users who are diagnosed with paraplegia and other disability and make them interact with the product and understand their needs and pain points which will help us further improve the design of the tricycle according to the user needs and feedback.
The Team
Sumedh Lowhale
Project Coordinator, Saksham
Sumedh is a Doctor of Prosthesis and Orthosis and is thus involved in the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. With involvement in the community, he has developed a rapport with quite a few organisations working for the same cause.
Yogeeta Madkaikar
Programme Coordinator, Saksham
Dr. Yogeeta has completed her Master's in Prosthetics and Orthotics. Nurturing a desire to help empower people with disability, she has always expressed a deep passion and interest in helping them live an independent life with dignity and respect and she is dedicatedly working for the community in need.
Kit Requirements
Interview Approach
Usability Testing
Gajanan Dighe
Age: 64
Height: 168 cm
Weight: 54 kgs
Location: Akurdi, Pune
Condition: Paraplegia
Family: Wife, Son, Daughter-in-law, grandson
Past profession: Metal fabrication workshop
Aids used: Wheelchair, hand-powered tricycle
Assisted by: Wife
He used to work in a metal fabrication workshop, but due to his growing age and disability, it was very difficult for him to work there so he left that job.
He is annoyed as people makes fun of him in the locality. He asks for help if he is somewhere stuck with his hand-powered tricycle. He usually sit with friends in the evening and also go for a small trip on his hand-powered tricycle for some fresh air.
He wants to make some money for his family by doing some small business on his tricycle with less efforts.
Ingress
Egress
Accessibility
User Reviews
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The ride is comfortable and stable
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The tricycle is very compact and should be easily parked on streets as well as in their home
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Having roof is best for them to travel in summer or rainy days
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The tricycle is easy to maneuver and control
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Seating is very comfortable
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Effort required to push tricycle is less because it has both pedals in both hands which is quite easy than one pedal
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It will be great if we can increase the seat width so that to carry one more person along or children
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Having boot space in the rear will help them in carry their personal and business related things
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Can easily get out of any situation if stuck, without any help of others
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Having a electric motor assist will be great for their daily commute and for business as well
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Because of their age, they get exhausted quickly and their shoulder starts to pain
Observations
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The design is so user-friendly that they were easily ready to ride the tricycle as it gives a feeling of safety
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They were easily able to get into the vehicle without hesitation
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They were able to get seated and adjust in position himself
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At the first trial, it was hard for them to hold the grip properly to the handlebars, but after suggestions and two or three trials, they were able to easily pedal the tricycle
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It was easy for him to reverse the tricycle as well with minimum efforts
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They were able to get down the vehicle without hesitation
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The glove box and luggage box were easily accessible without taking many efforts and turning the body
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At slopes or uneven terrain, he needs to apply some effort initially to gain momentum and overcome the obstacles
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He can easily maneuver the vehicle and can get the vehicle moving by himself if he is stuck somewhere in the middle without anyone’s help
Age: 62
Height: 121 cm
Weight: 43 kgs
Location: Akurdi, Pune
Condition: Legs amputated
Family: Wife, Son, Daughter-in-law
Past profession: Private sector service
Aids used: Wheelchair, hand-powered tricycle
Assisted by: Wife
He was granted early retirement from service because he lost his legs in an accident. He is assisted by his wife and he himself likes to do his daily chores. He is annoyed as people makes fun of him in the locality. He asks for help if he is somewhere stuck with his hand-powered tricycle. He usually sit with friends in the evening and try to travel less as far as possible.
He wants to make some money by doing some small business on his tricycle with less efforts and can travel more for his business requirements.
Shankar Shelar
Ingress
Egress
Accessibility
User Reviews
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The ride is comfortable
They were able to easily move the tricycle in tight spaces as the tricycle is very compact. It should be easily parked on streets as well as in their home
The tricycle is easy to maneuver and control Seating is very comfortable
Effort required to push tricycle is less as they are quite healthy
Mirrors are very helpful for moving the vehicle
Having boot space in the rear will help them in carry their personal and business related things
Also it will be good if they get more space for placing things for their business
Having a electric motor assist will be great for their daily commute as well as to travel further for their business
Their one shoulder is weak, so it starts to pain after some distance
Observations
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The design is so user-friendly that they were easily ready to ride the tricycle as it gives a feeling of safety
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They need to bring the wheelchair close so as to get in the tricycle and sometimes need assistance if the wheelchair is not stable
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Or they need to put themselves up on the footrest panel and then have to get up with their hands to get in
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They were able to get seated and adjust in position himself
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At the first trial, it was hard for them to hold the grip properly to the handlebars, but after suggestions and in the second trial, they were able to easily pedal the tricycle
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It was easy for him to reverse the tricycle as well with minimum effort and also it was easy for him to precisely reverse the vehicle with the help of mirrors
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They have to hold on to something and then put their body down so as to get down the vehicle
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The glove box and luggage box were easily accessible without taking many efforts and turning the body
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On uneven terrain, he needs to apply some effort initially to gain momentum and overcome the obstacles
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He can easily maneuver the vehicle and can get the vehicle moving by himself if he is stuck somewhere in the middle without anyone’s help
Other users
Accessories for their needs
Additional storage compartments
Placement of thumb throttle and display
Accessible boot storage
Hanging accessories
Horizontal rod grip for egress
Thank You
We have consciously worked on the image of the product and made it attractive so that the vehicle is not seen as a symbol of sympathy but as a symbol of confidence.
