Rowing wheelchair opens Michigan Tech's trails
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Posted: 8:48 AM Dec 19, 2009
Rowing wheelchair opens Michigan Tech's trails
Wheelchair users will be rowing their way around the trails at Michigan Technological University, thanks to a team of senior engineering students.
Reporter: The Associated Press
Font Size:

Wheelchair users will be rowing their way around the trails at Michigan Technological University, thanks to a team of senior engineering students.

For $3,000, the five built a prototype Human-Powered Off-Road Wheelchair.

The operator pulls back on the handlebars in a rowing motion to propel it at up to 4 miles per hour.

Associate professor and project director John Beard says his students had to overcome a number of challenges, including keeping the chair light enough and keeping it from rolling backward.

A key goal was to make the school's outdoor Tech Trails system accessible to those with disabilities.

Participant Josh Dorr says the design offers wider applications for recreation for the disabled.
More Stories

WNDU News Poll
There are currently no active polls at this time.
Click here to view other polls on our site and past poll results.
Most Popular Headlines