retrofittable wheelchair aid by patrick hyland

retrofittable wheelchair aid by patrick hyland

conceived by london-based designer patrick hyland, ‘synergise’ is a mechanical system which allows wheelchair users to negotiate commonly faced issues; cambered surfaces. these affect propulsion as the wheelchair would veer towards the road by gravity. as the user has to brake on one side and propel on the other, the momentum is affected,where increased friction leads to a higher energy consumption.

all of these physical issues make the energy required to cover a certain distance twice as taxing compared to the energy used by able-bodied people travelling the same distance. ‘synergise’ allows wheelchair users to negotiate angled surfaces with reduced friction and increased efficiency over endurance with reduced risks of RSI (repetitive strain injury) to the user and its well-being.

handle detail

assembly

detail

component render

sketches

sketches