A Fine Set of Wheels

Pride Mobility Products Corp. (Exeter, PA) is well known for the success of its Jazzy chair, an easily maneuverable motorized "power chair" that revolutionized the market. Most of us are familiar with TV commercials depicting senior citizens happily zipping around in a Jazzy chair. But, similar to the minivan's stodgy reputation in the automotive market, Jazzy chairs--no matter how quick or steady--were not the first choice of wheelchair for many people with impaired mobility.

Pride designed the Quantum 6000 to meet the needs of the younger market and society's changing view of people with disabilities. Needing to use a wheelchair is by no means synonymous with a lack of interest in style. "In order to remain competitive in the marketplace," says Jim Mulhern, Pride Mobility's vice president of research and development, "We needed a chair designed for the younger rehab patient--for example, a person who has been injured in a car or diving accident. This client is looking for a lot more style, an aggressive frame with more of a motorcycle look."

Designing the aggressive frame for the Quantum 6000 presented a challenge to Paul Taylor, director of product design, and his design team. "This was the first time we chose to use the frame as the main design element," says Taylor. "Although this was an exciting direction to take, it created some new challenges we haven't had to overcome before. As with any new project, we started the design on paper. We then went to the computer where we used SolidWorks to flesh out two or three of our favorite ideas. The engineering team was also very involved in this stage of the design process. We had to work together to determine the best way to manufacture the stylized frame components." Taylor said. The design and engineering teams then worked together to create a fully functional prototype by using some of the latest technology in rapid prototyping. CNC machining was used to create the frame components; and a combination of SLA and FDM parts were used to simulate the plastic. "We had a prototype rolling around that worked and looked great only a few weeks after the design direction had been chosen," Taylor continues. "It's very exciting to be able to see your work come to life in such a short amount of time.

The prototype was then taken to the 2004 Medtrade trade in Orlando, FL where potential customers were able to see the new Quantum 6000. "From a sales perspective," says Scott Higley, Quantum Rehab's vice president of sales, "we were able to get feedback from the trade show about what people liked, what problems they might have with features like access to batteries, and what they liked or didn't like about the styling. Engineering and design were able to incorporate the information gathered from potential users in the target market before going to tooling, saving both time and money.

But having such a realistic prototype can be a double-edged sword," Higley continues. "People want to know why it isn't available now. That can also be a good thing because people are waiting for it. A demand is created before it gets to market."

The Quantum 6000 was officially launched in October 2005. "The reaction to this product was overwhelming," Higley says. "We feel that the early feedback we received from our first prototype ensured not only a successful launch, but future sales growth."