重度障害者の移動具に関する研究 : 第1報,利用者ニーズに基づくコンセプトの提案と車両の設計(機械力学,計測,自動制御)  [in Japanese] Research on Design of Mobility Tool for Severely Disabled People : 1st Report, Proposal of Vehicle Design Concept Based on Users'Demand  [in Japanese]

The disabled can acquire driving licenses, if they have physical ability to transfer from wheelchair to car seat, and also to drive it with steering wheel, even if it requires any special supporting devices. However, transferring to a vehicle and driving with a steering wheel are very difficult tasks for people with severe disabilities such as damage on the cervical vertebrae, and therefore they are not able to acquire driving licenses. As a result, they do not have any mobility tools other than powered wheelchairs, which means their traveling ranges are limited. If they use automobiles that they can get on easily from their wheelchairs, and they can drive by joystick instead of steering wheel, it is greatly expected that their quality of life must be raised. This paper proposes such type of vehicle named EVD, and design of prototype and examines its feasibility and effectiveness