Design for Our Future Selves awards 2006

Fiat Scratch

Uros Pavasovic / Vehicle Design

Winner of the Mobility Choice Award for Independent Mobility

A vehicle for wheelchair users that increases their independence and mobility

Background

Car designs specifically for wheelchair users rarely address both functional and aesthetic issues. Adaptation of existing car designs becomes the main solution for wheelchair users but these often mean retrofitting ramps and hoists that impact negatively on driver dignity.

Fiat Scratch aims to develop a more proactive and enviable design for people in wheelchairs. The vehicle can be used by drivers across a wide spectrum of ability and the design aims to bring a modern, non-stigmatising aesthetic to this sector.

User research

Interviewing and observing wheelchair users with different types of disabilities and cultural backgrounds gave a general understanding of needs and aspirations. Wheelchair users were shadowed and observed in everyday situations - with families, at home, at work and in the car - to understand and empathise with their different experiences.

Other resources

Desk research into existing purpose-built wheelchair friendly cars and conversions such as the ‘Toyota Velcab concept’ shown at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Design output

The user research highlighted the need to maintain independence and provide an enabling solution that supports already busy and active lifestyles. Internet research and the user research showed that many wheelchair-friendly vehicles exist on the market today but none of them fully addresses all the needs of wheelchair drivers and passengers in terms of ingress and egress and dual mode seating.

Fiat Scratch is a car that can accommodate a double drive-in wheelchair with three-sided access. Additionally, Fiat Scratch intends to be a car conversion kit rather than a design for a purpose-built car for wheelchair drivers. It provides wheelchair users with more choice than currently available and enables them to use a design that meets their aspirational need as well as functional needs, dispelling the ‘disability chariot’ image of some current vehicles.