Geometric Analysis of Wheelchairs to Compared UDIG

Researchers

Michael Arundel, Kathleen D. Klinich

Sponsor

2023-2024 UM Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)

Abstract

This project supports ongoing industry work to develop a wheelchair securement system that could allow wheelchair users to independently secure their wheelchairs in vehicles equipped with automated driving systems (ADS), where there will be no driver to assist with securement. Specifically, this project evaluated how wheelchair attachments meeting a Universal Docking Interface Geometry (UDIG) could be installed on different commercial wheelchairs to allow securement with a compatible vehicle anchor.

Results

This graph describes the viable locations for UDIG attachments. Y-axis is distance from rearmost point on wheelchair (mm) and the x-axis is individual wheelchairs.