March 20, 2023

Pushchair for Wheelchair Users is undergoing its final tests so we can get it out to parents

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Completing the project with the support of Mamas & Papas

The Designability team have travelled to test the final prototype of the Pushchair for Wheelchair Users.

Mamas & Papas have provided us with testing facilities and technical support throughout the Pushchair for Wheelchair Users project to ensure our design meets all required standards.

The relationship started in November 2021 with a visit to their in-house test facility at the Head Office in Huddersfield. We were able to test our first prototype and were invited to use one of their pushchairs as a basis for our project.

Matt Ford, Director of Design and Engineering for Designability, said: “The timing couldn’t have been better. We were already in the middle of a re-design, so we investigated using the Mamas & Papas FLIP XT3 pushchair for our next iteration.

“This was ideal because we were able to easily remove the rear wheels and replace them with our own design. We knew that the FLIP XT3 had already passed the testing, so it meant that we could focus on designing the unique parts that allow the pushchair to attach to a wheelchair.”

Developing the second prototype

In September 2022, we visited again with our second prototype which centred around turning the rear wheels into swivelling castor wheels when attaching the pushchair to a wheelchair.

Matt continues: “It sounds simple but threw up some serious challenges.

“We had to invent a completely new way of applying a brake to the rear wheels, and fast and simple method of attaching the pushchair with quick-release clamps.”

“We had to invent a completely new way of applying a brake to the rear wheels, and fast and simple method of attaching the pushchair with quick-release clamps.”

“Pushchairs and strollers need to meet a rigorous set of requirements to be considered safe, in the UK and Europe they need to comply with the standard ‘BS EN 1888: Wheeled Child Conveyances’. The standard looks at all elements of the design, from ensuring that any potential finger traps are outside of the child’s reach, to stability testing and overall mechanical robustness. Many of the tests are repetitive, requiring the pushchair to withstand many days of continuous use.

“We are now ready to test our final prototype which is taking place as I speak. We are confident with the improvements we have made that the pushchair is strong, robust and safe and ready to be put through its paces.”

Getting approval from parents

Lynn shared her experiences with us last year and we revisited her so she could see the final design. She said: “I’m really pleased that it looks like a mainstream pushchair, with all the same functions, including a large basket for shopping. It’s easy to attach to my wheelchair and handles very smoothly.

“This is what I needed for my children, this will make people happy”.

Could you help us with our final user tests?

If you use a manual wheelchair and are the parent of a young child then we would love to hear from you.

We want to check that this final design ticks all the boxes and that it’s something that you would be pleased to use to go out and about.

If you’re happy to be in pictures, even better! To make sure we reach as many people as possible, we need to be able to show it off as best we can.

If you’d like to get involved, please email pushchair@designability.org.uk

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