EcoVehicle for People with Limited Mobility

Preliminary Results

Nichaya (Nan) Suntornpithug

William (Bill) Todorovic

School of Business & Management Sciences (SBMS)

March 4, 2005

• What is Marketing?– Activities leading to sales

Profits/satisfy consumers’ needs

• 4 P’s : Marketing Mix– Product, Price, Place, Promotions

• Marketing Research

Interview

• Identify needs of individuals with limited mobility

• Develop a set of detailed design guidelines and technical requirements to assist in future development and evaluation of Ecovehicle.

Mobility

• “Mobility is movement that involves changing the position of oneself or an object. A person with a mobility impairment may have difficulty with walking, standing, lifting, climbing stairs, carrying, balancing, or having the stamina and endurance to do these kinds of activities. A person with a mobility impairment may use devices such as a wheelchair, crutches, cane, walker, scooter, or standing aid. People with mobility limitations may also need modified transportation (such as an adapted van) or home accessibility features (such as ramps, modified kitchen or bathroom).”

• http://www.infouse.com/atdata/glossary.html

Gender

Male, 23, 59%

Female, 16, 41%

Age

18

000

31

23

63

16

5

0 2 4 6 8 10

Under 1818-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-5960-6465-6970-7475-79

80+

Marital Status

Single, 14, 37%

Engaged, 1, 3%

Married, 20, 52%

Separated, 3, 8%

Number of Children

029%

18%2

11%

334%

>418%

Annual Household Income

<$15,00029%

$15,000-$29,000

8%

$30,000-$44,999

11%

$45,000-59,00034%

>=$60,00018%

Types of Limited Mobility

Type of Limited Mobility

Walking44%

Standing3%

Lifting11%Others

3%

Walking&Standing&Lifting17%

Walking&Standing19%

Walking&Lifting3%

Type of Devices

WheelChair29%

Crutches10%

Cane24%

Walker17%

Scooter10%

Standing Aids10%

When to Use?

• short distance• shopping (grocery)• around the house• Get mail at the driveway• “travel back and forth from

townhouse to the nursing home where activities take place (retirement community)”

• recreation• visit friends (live in small town)• “not sure since used to a large car

and doesn’t know if could switch to smaller type of vehicle for road”

Features

26 31 35 18 18

Safety ComfortInde

pendent

Ease of Use Storage

SpaceOthers

Ease of UseEasy to get in/out– No high steps– Adjustable/swivel /extended seats (loading & unloading)********– Electric switch that move the seat from an L shape to an \ shape– Automatic door opening from the bottom and rise up over the head– Be able to drive into the vehicle– Knob and levers made large enough for crippled handsEasy enough to steer & operate with feet or hands (or both)– Better turning radius/ large steering radius– adjustable gas, break, pedals– Curb sensors– Have accessories on steering wheel (gas, break, heat,..)– Electric screen that is touch sensor for car functions (heater, gages, radio,..)– Screen have option of sound on and off telling the speed & hooked to GPS– Voice activated controls for radio, a/c, heat, wipers, lights (engine)– Simple features. “New technologies are sometimes intimidating.”– Large and clear labels of featuresOthers– Lighter tires and hydraulic car jack to help with changing a tire– Everything within easy reach– Easy to charge on 110 outlet– Stats easily– Easy to set up, maintain, clean/wash– Drive like a car– Sufficient inside light (operator controlled interior light)

Comfort• Large door• roomy space so it’s easy to climb in and out• Big leg room • added feature for leg rest• make it a 2 passenger and give more room for the driver• remote starter and keyless entry• tinted glass for sensitive eyes• more neck support for the passengers• nice interior, lots of options like CD, leather, sun roof.• padded seats• heated seats that give good support to back• low back cushion• seat with comfortable arm rest• button or lever for use by driver when tired of listening to

complaints of aces & pain etc. from passengers.• higher off ground• roll in & stay on wheelchair

Improved safety• same features as other vehicles (seat belts,

airbags, side protection)• better materials to prevent breaker• available throughout rain and some other adverse

weather conditions.• Non skid entry step • built in radio tuned to 911 for emergency with GPS• roll bars• stay awake system• crash safe• interior lighting & exterior lighting• attracts attention when something wrong• clear vision @ night; helped vision’ illuminating

road ahead/reduced glare• not many gadget that will distract the drivers

Storage

• big enough for small scooter, walker, canes, etc.

• storage area for first aid kit-place for fire exit

• seatbelt cutter & glass breaker stored somewhere in front seat area accessible to both front seat passengers

Independence

• be able to walk further distances  

• be able to access trunk from front seat (inside) to store walkers, purse, package, etc. rather than clinging to car to get to from seat after storing items in trunk from outside

Others

• Speed– faster motor/speed

• Appearance– Look nice – Colour options, extra features– looks normal, doesn’t make the

person feel special (different)

• Fuel economy

Timeline

March 4, Preliminary results

April 6, Raw Data

April 13, Preliminary Results