In this Lifestyle Magazine* article, they share an update from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Convertor Association (WAVCA) about their exciting plans for the future. They want to use an app that allows you to be measured for your next Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) without leaving needed to leave your home.
This exciting development could be possible thanks to a survey being carried out by the WAVCA. The survey began last year to get exact measurements and weights of users in their chairs, which will give WAV converters the information they need to adapt to the changing needs of disabled people.
Results so far have revealed that the next generation of WAVs will have to deal with bigger and heavier wheelchairs. This information will be essential as eWAVs, which are heavy due to the weight of their batteries, have reduced carrying payloads.
The survey uses advanced scanning technology with state-of-the-art software to measure all the dimensions and weights of each user and their wheelchair in situ.
Each scan, which takes a couple of minutes with the wheelchair put on a special platform, produces a 360-degree wireframe image that shows all the relevant detail that is fed into a database that will be shared with all converters.
Be a part of the project
The organisers now want more people to come forward to give them more data on wheelchair users of all disabilities, stressing that all information collected is totally anonymous.
The next chance to get involved will be with the Motability Scheme at The Big Event, in Edinburgh, at the Royal Highland Centre, from 13-14 September.
The project is led by Simon Pearson, managing director of Sirus Automotive and WAVCA vice-chairman, who explains that designing and building a wheelchair accessible vehicle is an incredibly complex job.
“Apart from the technical challenges of converting a vehicle, the convertor must ensure that the person in the wheelchair fits perfectly and is comfortable and safe.
“Part of the problem was trying to understand the right scanning technology. We are looking to try and get more information rather than just the standard length, width and height. With the user sat in a wheelchair, we wanted to understand the shape and look at things like shoulder height,” says Simon.
Did you know?
When you lease a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) with the Motability Scheme, you get a worry-free package including insurance, breakdown cover, services and routine repairs, and MOTs.
Advancing technology
With this information, converters can work out exactly where the user will sit and adjust key areas; such as seatbelt mounts and space for wheelchair footplates.
“We know most people do not sit upright, they sit back with their arms relaxed. What we realised is that by doing the scanning rather than taking basic dimensions, we would have access to all that information. That level of detail we could not capture with just a few measurements,” says James.
It is hoped that one day customers will not have to leave their house to get measured and will use a phone app that allows them to be measured at home.
“A customer could send us their digital passport for us to look at the fit and size of them in a vehicle before we see them,” he says.
The survey, which has had huge help from technical expert Ian Hopley, from Allied Mobility, will be useful for engineers looking at future legislation for WAVs.
*This article first appeared in Lifestyle Magazine.
Lifestyle Magazine
Discover the latest Motability Scheme news with Lifestyle, the quarterly customer magazine. This is available to all Scheme customers and delivered free of charge. You can read the latest issue online or sign up to get Lifestyle in the post.*
*Only available for Motability Scheme customers free of charge.
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Picture credits: Motability Operations; Sirus Automotive Ltd (photos)
