Problem statement: Traditional sports wheelchairs typically range in price from $1000 to $4000. Considering that over 450 million people participate in basketball globally and approximately 1.85% of the world's population requires wheelchairs, this project aims to enhance accessibility to the sport for those who may not have the financial means to engage.
Objective: Under the guidance of Dr. Swapnil Moon and the NJIT Makerspace, the wheelchair's design is meticulously crafted to achieve our objective. Additionally, it serves as an educational resource, allowing future students to delve deeper into the project, refine designs, and further reduce costs.
The project served as a pivotal entry point for me to venture into woodworking, all the while leveraging available resources to acquire proficiency in CNC programming. This endeavor facilitated hands-on experience in effectively operating a CNC machine.
Result: The complete wheelchair frame is constructed from a half-inch plywood sheet, complemented by 3D-printed elements and externally sourced components such as wheels, casters, and fasteners. Remarkably, the entire cost of manufacturing amounts to less than $200.
