An aisle wheelchair that transfers users to their airplane seat safely and comfortably
Current Process
When wheelchair users fly they go through the entire airport process in their own wheelchair but right before boarding the plane is switched into an aisle wheelchair. These aisle wheelchairs are skinnier to fit through the airplane aisle but are known to be incredibly uncomfortable and the transfer process from the aisle wheelchair to the airplane seat is painful and dangerous. Below is a video of Cole, a power wheelchair user and vlogger who loves to travel, being transferred into his seat by two flight attendants.
“It makes me uncomfortable. It can be painful if they transfer me incorrectly and bruises are a common occurrence. I’ve nearly been dropped. If I had a smoother transfer, then the whole experience would be better.” - Cole
Aisle Assist In Use
Different Components
Sliding
The seat allows Aisle Assist to transfer the user over the airplane seat in one smooth motion. The multi-stage rail system extends 18” and is designed to support a person of up to 350 lbs (99th percentile weight for men). The contoured seat panels engage with a slot on the front rail while they are gently slid under the user and our intuitive locking system makes it apparent when the seat panels have been correctly inserted.
Height Adjustment
Once the user is above the airplane seat, our height adjustment system lowers the user onto the airplane seat in a controlled manner and lifts them back up at the end of the flight. The attendant adjusts the height by turning a handwheel near the top corner of the chair. They rotate a spool to roll or unroll straps connected to the rear of the seat panel. The gearbox is designed such that height adjustment is only possible with attendant input. The attendant only needs to exert around 10 lbs of force to lift a 350 lb person, as much as lifting a gallon of paint.
Stabilizing
Yet another way we ensure the safety of Aisle Assist while in use. Once the system is deployed through the use of a handle at the rear of the chair, a wheel rotates out from under the wheelchair to stabilize Aisle Assist uses the space behind the airplane seat’s backrest to stabilize the user, alongside the support of the footrest for a safe journey.
Business Proposal
The existing aisle wheelchairs cost about $3000 and there is usually 1 per gate. Aisle Assist costs about $2000 to manufacture and will be sold for $7,000. For a major airline, such as United, Aisle Assist can increase profits by preventing settlement costs, not to mention the $13.8M benefit if only 1% of current non-traveling wheelchair users began to fly with United. During the first year, we will conduct extensive user testing. Next, we will partner with airlines in the US and start pilot programs in major hubs. Finally, we plan to expand internationally and break even in year 2. By year 6, we project revenue of $5M dollars. However, the true value of Aisle Assist lies in how people like Cole feel when using our product.
