Iranian Scientists Design Wheelchair to Help Disabled Stand Up

This wheelchair not only improves the quality of life, but also enables the disabled to independently carry out their daily activities.

In this project, the team has managed to design and manufacture a multi-purpose wheelchair that allows the user to sit, stand, and lie down, Farzad Cheraghpour Samavati, a member of the research team and an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the University, has told ISNA in a Farsi interview.

“Our main goal in implementing this project was to allow the disabled, who spend many hours on the wheelchairs, to be able to stand up. In addition, this multifunctional wheelchair improves the digestive and respiratory system of the disabled. This will significantly improve their health.”

“While in the standing position with their hands free, they can do a lot of activities including their own daily chores independently,” he added.

Referring to the performance of the multi-purpose wheelchair, Cheraghpour explained that the wheelchair is run by two manual control systems and linear electric motors.

In addition to this, the wheelchair is equipped with three jacks through which, by pushing a button, the linear motor switches from sitting to the standing position, he added.

According to this researcher, the person sitting on the wheelchair could be in standing position in less than 30 seconds.

Cheraghpour further mentioned that the wheelchair ensures the security of the seated person using its safety belts.

He also noted that the wheelchair is capable of moving only in the standing position.

“This wheelchair is equipped with a 360 degree universal joystick and three lifting engines with a force of 8,000 Newton. In addition, the wheelchair is equipped with a suspension system which allows the user to easily cross the obstacles.”

The researcher also noted that the wheelchair could be easily controlled and the seat position can be changed in less than 30 seconds. Moreover, due to the design of caster wheels, it will not overturn.

“Barrier warning system, three hours of continuous operation, and a flasher for nighttime operation are among the other features of this wheelchair,” underlined Cheraghpour.

For a brief review of Iran’s achievements in various fields of science and technology, check the book “Science and Technology in Iran: A Brief Review”

In recent years, Iranian scientists have made remarkable progress in various fields of technology despite sanctions imposed by the West.

According to the data released by Iran’s Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology, the Islamic Republic’s share in scientific publications worldwide has been growing over the past two decades, from 0.07 percent in 1996 to 1.5 percent in 2015.

Likewise, its share in total regional scientific publications increased from 3.5 percent in 1996 to 28.6 percent in 2015. Joint publications by Iranian authors and foreign collaborators accounted for around 19.8 percent.

The Iranian government says a major reason for these improvements is the increasing importance given to scientific publications, research, promotion of university professors through awarding grants to them, and granting awards to the graduate students and pursuing their admissions to accredited universities.