The creative efforts of two groups of Ngee Ann Polytechnic Mechanical Engineering students paid off when their final-year projects won the 10th IES Design Awards.
The Transcooter that clinched the Bronze Award, is designed to assist senior citizens and the physically challenged to move around easily with limited assistance. It is a detachable scooter that can be easily attached to a regular wheelchair by a locking mechanism.
The Merit Award winner is a wheelchair re-designed to provide seat lifting capability while retaining the basic features of a standard wheelchair. When the user releases a latch below the seat, the wheelchair seat will rise gradually. The modified wheelchair, which requires no power source, is a viable choice for the elderly to move about and get up by themselves.
These innovative devices designed to improve wheelchair users’ mobility were featured in The New Paper on 2nd February 2011. The project students have plans to improve the prototypes and bring the modified wheelchairs to the market.
Once again, these successful projects bear testimony to the positive outcomes of the Mechanical Engineering curriculum at Ngee Ann, which focuses on strong engineering fundamentals while drawing out the creative potential and community spirit in students.
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The Transcooter |
Transcooter attached to
the wheel chair |
User on the Transcooter |
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Wheelchair with lifting capability:
Rubber stopper ensures stability |
Suspension ensures a comfortable journey |