All-Terrain Walker
THE INSTITUTION
CP Rochester (3399 S Winton Rd, Rochester, NY 14623)
Contact: Tobi’s Mother
Phone: (585) 313-2633
Email:
Contact: Kerrie
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Email:
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
Tobi’s Statement: How to design a walker that allows people with leg disabilities to enjoy outside activities as hiking and rafting?
Kerrie’s Statement: How to design a walker that allows people with MS to enjoy outside environments and also help them to keep the body balance while walking?
Tobi’s Actual Walker
● Works fine for an urban environment;
● Handle and seat are not comfortable;
● Breaks do not help to keep the body balance;
● Difficulty to turn the walker (it is not stable enough);
● Do not go up hills or trails;
User Actual Walkers
1. Roller Walker (Drive Medical) - $130.00 (Used at Amazon: $70.00)
● It’s limited for each person (in means of age, high and levels of disability);
● Folds up (could be improved);
● Enough weight to hold someone/keep the body balance, but too heavy to the user put in the car by herself;
● Brake system is terrible (tires wear down and the brake system do not work properly);
● Seat and backrest are not comfortable (MS people has necessity of sitting);
● Difficulty to turn the walker (it is not stable enough);
● Handles are uncomfortable (made of hard plastic);
● Handles do not bent down (helps to put the walker/wheelchair closer to a table);
● It has a basket to carry personal items (cannot access the basket while sitting);
2. Nitro - $300.00
● More Stable than the first one (more heavier though);
● Easier to fold up, but does not open properly (Kerrie needs to do more effort to open than the first one);
● Better brake system (the handles are bad designed - she cannot reach the break with one hand);
● Seat and backrest are more comfortable;
● Turns better than the first one (bigger tires);
● Handles are more comfortable (made of rubber/silicone);
● Works better and different environments such as snow;
● It has a basket to carry personal items;
USER PERSONA
1. Tobi: high school student, 15 years old. Using the same walker during 2 years (price of the walker: $400.00 dollars).
● Partial movement of the legs and high level of independence compared to other youths (ability to run with the walker, according to the mother);
● No necessity of a motorized walker (he can easily walk with the assistance of the walker);
● Looks for a walker that allows him to enjoy outdoors activities (grassy, sandy and snowy environments are included) ;
● No necessity of a seat on the walker (Tobi can be stand up during some time);
● Necessity of some support on the back part of the walker (he makes use of the back seat to balance his weight).
2. Kerrie:
● Partial ability of lifting the feet and medium level of independence compared to other people with MS (ability to walk slow and need some help to stand up);
● Make use of wheelchairs while at home (She has one on each floor of her house);
● Looks for a walker that allows her to enjoy outdoors activities (grassy, sandy and snowy environments are included) ;
● She feels comfortable when is going up the hill, however feels unsafe when she is going down (do not trust on the brake system);
● Necessity of a seat on the walker (User can be tired quicker than Tobi);
● Necessity of some support on the back part of the walker (Kerrie has difficulty to stand up).
PRODUCT EXPECTATIONS
Tobi
● A walker which allows him to do rafting, hiking or any other outdoors activities;
● Adaptable for different environments (can support impacts, get wet…);
● Maintenance or improvements of the leg’s movement;
● Adjustable in order to allow him to use the walker for more time than expected;
● Simple design (without buttons or complex features) and not so personalized (pieces too changeable takes more time to have the walker ready and bothers the user);
● Spot to carry some personal items (bottle of water, for example).
Kerrie
● A walker which allows her to walk on the yard or even go up/down hills;
● Adaptable for different environments (can support impacts, get wet…);
● A walker that helps her to maintain the body balance;
● Support for her body on the back part (difficulty to keep the body straight);
● A system that helps her to stand up independently (could be the seat);
● A walker heavier enough to help her to keep the body balance, but lighter enough in order to allow her to put in the car by herself;
● She is willing to pay at least $500.00 dollars in one device that has all the features she needs.
OBSERVATIONS
● Tobi’s mother told the team that he can supports his whole weight on the arms. In fact, Tobi supports part of his weight on the back part of the walker. It’s an opportunity to develop a seat that can come together with him when he stands in order to provide more stability.
● Considering the MS as focus, the limitation is created by the ability of the user to lift the feet. What is going to determine which kind of device (walker/wheelchair) the user will have is how high he/she can lift the feet.