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Raising wheelchair quality in India using international testing standards
Ritu Ghosh1, Pooja Behera1, Soikat Ghosh Moulic2
1Mobility India Rehabilitation Research & Training Centre, Bengaluru, India.
Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology
|March 9, 2025
Summary
Two of five manual wheelchairs tested in India met ISO quality standards for stability and durability. Locally manufactured models offer cost-effective, reliable options, highlighting the need for regulatory standards to prevent premature wheelchair failures.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Product Safety Standards
Background:
- Wheelchair breakdowns and abandonment are significant issues in India.
- There is a need to evaluate the quality of commonly used manual adult wheelchairs in India.
- International standards (ISO 7176) provide a framework for assessing wheelchair performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the static stability and durability of five manual adult wheelchairs used in India.
- To determine if these wheelchairs meet minimum quality requirements based on ISO 7176-1 and ISO 7176-8 standards.
- To identify cost-effective wheelchair options for users in India.
Main Methods:
- Five manual wheelchairs (WC1-WC5) were tested in an ISO-compliant laboratory.
- Static stability was assessed per ISO 7176-1 (tipping angles).
- Durability was evaluated using ISO 7176-8 (multi-drum and curb-drop tests) with a 100 kg dummy, classifying failures.
Main Results:
- Two wheelchairs (WC1 and WC2) passed durability tests, meeting ISO standards.
- WC1 (imported) and WC2 (locally manufactured economy model) demonstrated compliance.
- WC3, WC4, and WC5 failed durability due to structural (Class III) failures. WC2 was the most cost-effective option compared to WC1.
Conclusions:
- There is an urgent need for regulation of product quality in India using ISO 7176 standards to improve wheelchair reliability.
- Locally manufactured, cost-effective wheelchairs like WC2 that meet ISO standards should be prioritized.
- Regulatory bodies should mandate ISO testing and surveillance, with future focus on performance ratings and designs suited for Indian conditions.
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