Recreation vehicle

My graduation project was commissioned by Bio-Kinderrevalidatie ,an association for children with a physical disability. There is an urgent need of a vehicle in witch familys and groups, with one or more physical disabled children, can enter wildlife areas/ nature. The product was developed from analysis to working prototype. The working prototype (1:1) was built in cooperation with Carrosserie Akkermans a bodywork builder of special vehicles.

Analyses showed a horse drawn vehicle is most suitable for this application, also because horses have a therapeutic effect on children. The most important ability of the vehicle is there is absolute equivalence of every passenger in the vehicle. Thanks to the wide equal floor everybody can move free through the car. The child with the wheelchair can move to the front to hold the reins of the horses. The child will now get the feeling the horses, as well as the nature is within reach.
Besides there is a flexible design of the interior, so every trip can be decided what stays home and what goes along. This way it is possible to save room and weight in the vehicle, so there will be enough freedom of movement for the wheelchair users.
Because it is designed for middle long distances, a stretcher and chemical toilet are integrated with the interior. The exterior gives an outdoor en rough feeling, so it will not be branded as a vehicle for people with a disability, but it will be branded as a vehicle for adventures people. The construction of the frame guarantees absolute comfort and good driving qualities. The used material are boat cloth, aluminium plate, red wood, steal and imitation leather.

What makes this project special is it was no redesign, but the design is completely aimed at the possibilities of children with a disability in nature.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• vehicle
• Bio-kinderrevalidatie
• TU-Delft
• physical disability
• nature