Bridging Accessibility Gaps in Low- and Middle-Income Countries' Healthcare

The exorbitant cost and restricted availability of electric wheelchairs in Vietnam provide considerable mobility obstacles for those with impairments. Numerous users first depend on manual wheelchairs for economic reasons, notwithstanding the associated physical hardship. This research introduces the design and development of an electric wheelchair conversion adapter that retrofits current manual wheelchairs into motorized alternatives at a significantly lower cost than commercial ones. The device incorporates twin wiper motors, a Bluetooth-enabled control mechanism, and safety features including obstacle recognition, fall alerts, and emergency stop functions. Users can maneuver the wheelchair via joystick control or a mobile application, thereby augmenting autonomy and user-friendliness. Prototype testing revealed consistent performance, proficient obstacle avoidance, and structural resilience; nonetheless, enhancements in battery economy and control optimization are necessary. By improving accessibility and quality of life for wheelchair users, this study promotes the development of affordable, flexible, user-centric assistive mobility solutions.