b'38 Partner News Spring 2021CorporateWheels of Change taking a wheelchairfrom dream to realityAs engineering partner for Whizz-Kidz Wheels of Change project, Frazer-Nash and project partners, including Aergo, University of Edinburgh, Somo and Curtiss Wright, are helping Whizz-Kidz realise its dream of producing a powered wheelchair fit for the 21st century.Whizz-Kidz CEO, Ruth Owen OBE, said: Whizz-Kidz is proud to be at the centre of this project, which wouldnt have happened without the funding from players of the Peoples Postcode Lottery; and project partner Duchenne UK. Wheels of Change will take us from concept to completed working demonstrator within two years, bringing the basic wheelchair concept and making it fit for purpose beyond 2020.Anna Will, Frazer-Nashs Project Manager, describes: Its an exciting time, as each day parts of the chair turn from concept to reality. Components are selected, designs finalised, and workshops with Whizz-KidzWhat will the next generation of wheel chairs look like?move us closer towards our goal. Weve been analysing the designsAergo has developed air cells that can be Weve taken a user-centric approach toengineering feasibilityexamining how weinflated and deflated by wheelchair users to concept development: they are at the heartcan overcome challenges and achieve its keyaid posture and comfort. Aergos CEO, Hsin-of the design. Based on the requirementsfunctionality. Weve completed the schemeHua (Sheana) Yu comments: Aergo is proud from Whizz-Kidz users, we drew-up adesign to identify essential components andto be part of such a visionary project. Both number of initial wheelchair design concepts.developed an electronics architecture; nowthis project and Aergo have the same mission Users, engineers and occupational therapistswere filling in the detail, so we have a chair design to empower. Were excited that our helped us down select the essential features,ready to be built.patent pending air cell technology will offer providing invaluable insight.a fully automated postural management Comfort and functionality are two essentialsolution, keeping children comfortable and From this diverse user feedback, weuser requirements, and postural seatingactive as they explore and engage with their produced a final concept design. The nextspecialist, Aergo, is helping us meet theseenvironment.step is to take this concept to reality. needs.'