Tensen Design for Manufacturing Award
Axis: Adaptable mobility, designed to be built anywhere
Axis is a modular wheelchair system designed for rural environments in developing countries. The wheelchair features interchangeable frame sections that adjust the width and overall length to accommodate different users and changing needs over time. It is designed to be manufactured locally using common steel tubing, basic tools, and simple fabrication methods, allowing communities to build, repair, and maintain the wheelchair without relying on imported parts.
About the Designer
Jessica Smith, Sheridan
Jessica Smith is an industrial design student focused on creating products that improve everyday life. Her work centers around optimizing function and usability while designing objects that have a positive impact on people and the world around them. She aims to design with an environmentally conscious mindset, creating solutions that minimize harm and contribute positively to their surroundings.