Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

A Canadian Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) is engaging the expertise of the Sports and Wellness Engineering Technology Institute (SWETI) of SAIT Polytechnic's Applied Research and Innovation Services to develop an off-road front caster wing for its high-end, modular wheelchair. This accessory must enable the wheelchair to traverse small obstacles and travel smoothly over varied surfaces. The project will promote the health and well-being of Canadians and others since the off-road attachment will allow wheelchair users to have a more active and engaged lifestyle, readily moving along uneven surfaces in parks, golf courses, campgrounds, and other natural environments. This project will benefit the SME by evolving the first-generation prototype into a commercially viable and innovative accessory product. The technology will also be relevant to future attachments developed by the company, further supporting this SME's success. SAIT benefits through the opportunity for faculty, staff and students to work on and learn about the modular wheelchair and its special features such as the off-road attachment. The SWETI research team will be able to apply new knowledge to future projects. Finally, the field of rehabilitation as well as the company will benefit by exposing SAIT's Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Program students to this innovative product.