Modifications to the Hands-Free Wheelchair for Dance: Development of a Kinetic Armrest Prototype

The University of South Florida created an interdisciplinary team between the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Theatre and Dance to build innovative, mobile devices for the Performing Arts. One device that evolved from the partnership is the Hands-Free Wheelchair for modern dance performance. It is operated and controlled by the user’s weight-shift change in the seat. In order to keep this control “hands-free”, while giving the user a sense of stability, kinetic armrests have been designed for assistance and use as a dance tool. This design incorporates anthropomorphic data, engineering design, and the five basic arm positions of dance into a final prototype. The armrests have specifically been designed to withstand 200 lbs of static loading and 180 degree rotation in the vertical and horizontal planes. Its hardware also includes quick-release locking mechanisms, length-changing capabilities, and illumination. This presentation discusses plans for narrowing down options and improving upon designs through rapid-prototyping and Mechanics of Solids laboratory testing. It also highlights the importance of the Human Factors involved in this essential upgrad