Imagine building a wheelchair using a 3D printer, without needing any tools for assembly. Now, imagine that this wheelchair is not a standard model, but is specially designed for children. MakeGood, a New Orleans-based organization specializing in the design of assistive technologies, has succeeded in creating just that by designing the first-ever fully 3D printed wheelchair for children. The design is a prototype now, but once available, this wheelchair will enable children to move around independently from an early age.
The wheelchair is aimed at children aged 2 to 8, and it was designed with accessibility in mind. Remarkably, anyone with a 3D printer can build one. All the parts were printed with a Bambu Lab A1, and assembly requires no tools, screws or glue. Instead, the pieces fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. The development of the chair has been documented and shared on social networks by the project members, who have just unveiled this first version. It will continue to evolve, with the aim of offering children with motor disabilities an adaptive and effective solution.
The 3D-printed children’s wheelchair will enable kids to move around independently.
The wheelchair was designed in PETG, a material known for its impact resistance. Every component—from the frame to the wheels, tires, seat and even the safety straps—has been entirely 3D printed. The eye is drawn to the seat, adorned with a lattice pattern that offers both comfort and support, perfectly suited to the needs of children. The footrest, meanwhile, is adjustable to suit the child’s growth. At the rear, a compartment has been integrated to store personal items or medical equipment, such as a portable ventilator. The wheels are oblong (longer than they are wide) and are designed to be easier for young users to handle. Lastly, the chair is a modular system, meaning that in the event of breakage, only the damaged part needs to be reprinted. This feature greatly simplifies maintenance.
Who Created This 3D Printed Wheelchair for Children?
The design for this wheelchair came together thanks to the collaboration of a team of designers and architects, and it’s not their first project. For some time, MakeGood had been working in partnership with Tikkun Olam Makers on the creation of the Toddler Mobility Trainer (TMT), a mobility training device for young children, initially made from wood. To take things a step further and make this device accessible to 3D printing, they teamed up with LINK PBC, a company specializing in industrial design. Thanks to this collaboration, the TMT was entirely redesigned to be 3D printable, eliminating the constraints associated with traditional manufacturing, which required complex tools.
The 3D wheelchair is not yet a finished product, but it provides a solid basis for future improvements. Noam Platt, founder of MakeGood, emphasized that development is still ongoing. The team plans to optimize every aspect of the design, drawing on feedback, field tests and user ideas. The ultimate goal is to offer a finished version that anyone with a 3D printer can download, print in the color of their choice and use immediately.
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*All Photo Credits: Noam Platt, LinkedIn