Adaptation and Design of a Marine Vehicle for Disabilities

Sammanfattning: This report is the result of the master thesis project in Industrial Design engineering (IDE), performed at Luleå University of Technology, by Erik Vesterlund. The task was to produce a conceptual belly boat design that enables individuals paralyzed in the lower extremities to use, propel, maneuver, assemble and use a belly boat. The initial stage included a pre-study of identifying and clarifying what the most common causes of paralyzation of the lower extremities originates from as well as finding the correct terms and what challenges they may include. It was discovered that there are many different causes and effects. Paraplegic are individuals who are unable to move, control or feel their legs depending on the severity of the injury. Quadriplegic individuals are unable to move, control or feel the entire of their body below their shoulders, depending on the severity of the injury. After the causes and effects were mapped, the challenges had to be identified. This was done through tests, interviews, literature studies and participant observations with individuals that are living with these types of injuries. Different problems and needs were mapped, and the most crucial to the usage of a belly boat was identified as the propelling and maneuvering of the craft. Safety aspects were also looked into and documented in order to ensure that the concept was safe for the users. Thereafter, a variety of methods were used in order to generate multiple ideas of how the identified problems and needs could be solved. The generated ideas were formulated and composed into complete solutions in the concept generating phase. The less good solutions were filtered out with the help of an evaluation matrix, and the good solutions were framed into different over-all concepts. Those were graded in a concept scoring matrix and composed into the final concept. The final concept fulfills the overall objectives and aims of the project, and also exceeds some of them, like allowing fully functional individuals to share the craft with Para- and quadriplegics, and without looking as equipment for individuals with disabilities. This broadens the market potential and increases the realization possibilities of a production, hence making the dream of assistance free wilderness adventures for Para- and quadriplegics all over the world, a reality.