Scope
Terrain Tracker is a mobile application for iPad and iPhone that crowdsources and displays information about the wheelchair accessibility of buildings and public locations. The application is designed to be simple to use, and special accessibility considerations have been made for the unique needs of wheelchair users. However, these considerations only extend to the software, but there is a need for specialized hardware that makes it easier for people in wheelchairs to securely use personal technology. Personal technology is not a luxury - its uses span from mobile banking to emergency medical support. Those in manual wheelchairs need both hands to move from place to place, making safely holding an iPad or other tablet, nearly impossible. A device that makes using personal technology easier could greatly increase the general quality of life for someone in a wheelchair.
The objective is to design a device so that a user can securely use and stow a tablet computer. To start, the focus will be on the iPad, as it is the market leader and is representative in size and weight of a typical tablet. It must be sturdy enough to ensure security of the iPad and thwart potential theft. It needs to attach to a wheelchair without affecting its ability to fit through doorways. The device should also make the iPad easy to access and stow. And most importantly, the device should not impact the ability of the user to move his or her chair regardless of whether the iPad is in front of them or stowed away. It cannot be located within the range of motion of the user’s arms or hands during movement.
The objective is to design a device so that a user can securely use and stow a tablet computer. To start, the focus will be on the iPad, as it is the market leader and is representative in size and weight of a typical tablet. It must be sturdy enough to ensure security of the iPad and thwart potential theft. It needs to attach to a wheelchair without affecting its ability to fit through doorways. The device should also make the iPad easy to access and stow. And most importantly, the device should not impact the ability of the user to move his or her chair regardless of whether the iPad is in front of them or stowed away. It cannot be located within the range of motion of the user’s arms or hands during movement.