'Morphing Handcycle' Provides New Freedom of Movement for Disabled Cyclists

Imagine cycling 50 miles, stopping at a convenience store to refuel, and having no way to get inside. This frustrating scenario, repeated ad nauseum, prompted a trio of avid handcyclists – whose machines were too big to get into the store and whose legs couldn’t carry them – to create their own solution – the morphing handcycle, designed entirely in SolidWorks® 3D CAD software. In stretched-out lowrider position, it’s a traditional handcycle – stable and aerodynamic, ready to ride as far as any bicycle at roughly the same speed. Morphed into high-rider position, it has a wheelchair’s agility for navigating doorways and aisles. It also puts the user at eye level with standing persons – optimal for picking items from store shelves. Rory McCarthy (right), Bill Warner, and Graham Butler designed the machine under the aegis of McCarthy and Warner’s nonprofit Move With Freedom, based in Cambridge, Mass. "Any CAD software lets you design and assemble parts,” said McCarthy, who has cycled the globe on a handcycle. "SolidWorks software, however, made a big impact on our design by letting us experience the assembly in motion. Graham, our product designer and SolidWorks expert, was able to turn my high-level designs into detailed virtual prototypes. This was critical in conceiving and refining the four-bar linkage and the crankset/steering assembly, which needs to turn smoothly in both low- and high-riding positions. As a result, we’ve got a highly functioning physical prototype ready for user feedback.” The morphing handcycle involves no electronics. To morph into high-riding position, the rider sets the brake and rolls the rear wheels forward, as with a wheelchair. The 24-speed cycle employs twin mechanical gas shocks, specified for the rider’s weight, that assist in the lift, enabling the user to switch to high-riding mode with single-hand force. Other components are standard bike parts. McCarthy is a longtime electrical engineering designer who embraced SolidWorks from the onset of the project two years ago. "I’m a longtime AutoCAD® software user, yet SolidWorks immediately proved to be a great tool and a more intuitive and logical way of designing. When it’s time to build, most of the questions have already been answered. We took care of the trial and error on the screen.” The morphing handcycle embodies Move With Freedom’s commitment to easy and natural mobility for all. Rather than commercially protect it with patents, the company intends to donate the finished design to the public domain so that others can customize it for their own needs. Move With Freedom’s next project is a morphing wheelchair, which would make it easy for users to surmount a curb without risking a backward flip. "We’ve seen many instances where SolidWorks improves business performance,” said Rainer Gawlick, vice president of worldwide marketing. "It’s inspiring in this case to see improved human performance and a direct positive impact on quality of life.” Move With Freedom’s founding supporters include authorized SolidWorks reseller CAPINC (Computer-Aided Products). Through its "Engineers in Action” community involvement program, CAPINC has provided Move With Freedom additional grants for ongoing training, service, and support. About Move With Freedom Move With Freedom is a non-profit and registered as a tax exempt 501(c) (3) organization. Co-founders include: Bill Warner, the founder of digital media creation tools company Avid Technology Inc., and Rory McCarthy, electrical engineering designer. For more information visit http://www.movewithfreedom.org. About CAPINC (Computer-Aided Products) CAPINC was awarded number one in customer satisfaction in North America in 2006 by SolidWorks Corp. CAPINC provides outstanding support for SolidWorks, COSMOSWorks®, and PDMWorks® Enterprise customers throughout New England. For more information about CAPINC, visit our website (www.capinc.com) or call 800.424.2255 About SolidWorks Corporation SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systèmes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software for design, analysis, and product data management. It is the leading supplier of 3D CAD technology, giving teams intuitive, high-performing software that helps them design better products. For the latest news, information, or an online demonstration, visit the company’s Web site (www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000). SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2007 SolidWorks Corporation. Click here to listen to a podcast interview on the ‘Morphing Handcycle’ You can subscribe to SolidWorks podcasts through iTunes, My Yahoo and sign up to an RSS feed linking you to new podcasts. Bookmark with de.li.cious Submit this story to digg Submit this story to slashdot Technorati tags SolidWorks, CAD, 3D CAD, MCAD, Design, Tech, Autodesk, AutoCAD, SolidEdge, COSMOSWorks