User-centred design, evaluation, and refinement of a wireless power wheelchair charging system

To enable power wheelchair users with limited mobility to safely and independently charge their wheelchairs. Stakeholders of multiple roles – including potential users, their caregivers, and clinicians with specifically relevant expertise – were engaged in a user-centred design process. Initial informal interviews, focus groups, online surveys, prototype demonstrations, semi-structured interviews, and expert reviews were utilized to guide development and iteratively evaluate prototypes. The resulting wireless charging system enables independent charging while also significantly increasing capacity and charging speed. Autonomous positioning and remote control features further address the particular use cases of the target population, and vital features of existing power wheelchairs are retained according to stakeholder input. Pertinent topics emerging from stakeholder input are discussed. Careful application of user-centred design principles is essential to the successful development of usable assistive technology devices, particularly for target populations with complex disabilities. The diverse perspectives of all relevant stakeholders must be considered and synthesized to produce a practical and usable solution.Implications for rehabilitationBattery charge is a constant and critical concern for power wheelchair users.Many power wheelchair users cannot independently use and monitor existing chargers.A wireless wheelchair charging system was developed to alleviate this issue.Sustained user engagement is crucial in the effective development of such assistive technology. Battery charge is a constant and critical concern for power wheelchair users. Many power wheelchair users cannot independently use and monitor existing chargers. A wireless wheelchair charging system was developed to alleviate this issue. Sustained user engagement is crucial in the effective development of such assistive technology.

为帮助行动受限的电动轮椅使用者安全且独立地完成轮椅充电，项目组邀请了多类角色的利益相关者参与以用户为中心的设计流程，涵盖潜在使用者、照护者及具备相关专业背景的临床医师。研究团队通过初步非正式访谈、焦点小组研讨、线上问卷调查、原型演示、半结构化访谈及专家评审等多种手段，指导开发工作并对原型开展迭代式评估。最终研发的无线充电系统不仅支持使用者独立完成充电操作，还显著提升了电池续航容量与充电速度。其搭载的自主定位与远程控制功能，进一步适配了目标人群的特殊使用场景；同时依据利益相关者的反馈，保留了现有电动轮椅的核心功能。本文还对从利益相关者反馈中提炼出的相关议题进行了探讨。

严格落实以用户为中心的设计原则，对于研发易用的辅助技术设备而言至关重要，针对存在复杂残疾的目标人群更是如此。必须充分考量并整合所有相关利益相关者的多元视角，方能打造出兼具实用性与易用性的解决方案。

康复领域的启示
电池续航始终是电动轮椅使用者面临的持续性核心顾虑。多数电动轮椅使用者无法独立操作并监控现有充电器。为此，研究团队开发了一款无线轮椅充电系统以缓解这一难题。持续的用户参与，对这类辅助技术的高效开发而言不可或缺。

电池续航始终是电动轮椅使用者面临的持续性核心顾虑。多数电动轮椅使用者无法独立操作并监控现有充电器。为此，研究团队开发了一款无线轮椅充电系统以缓解这一难题。持续的用户参与，对这类辅助技术的高效开发而言不可或缺。