This consumer-led research project aims to take the guesswork out of choosing a motorised wheelchair.
There are multiple types of motorised wheelchairs. The different drive systems (front-wheel, mid-wheel, or rear-wheel) change how navigation and turning work. Each has benefits in different environments. However, rehabilitation centres can’t always provide a complete range of wheelchairs to test drive or realistic training environments. Because of the cost, wheelchair users are often locked into their first choice and may be unable to change their device if it doesn’t suit their lifestyle or environment.
When motorised wheelchair user John Hitchens saw a demonstration of RECOVER’s virtual reality (VR) research, he was inspired to suggest a novel use of the technology. Immersive VR technology could potentially create a safe, simulated experience where wheelchair users can test different motorised wheelchairs in multiple environments. A project proposal evolved from John’s experiences selecting and training to use his motorised wheelchair.
The National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland (NIISQ) funded the project, ‘Designing a VR Application for Motorised Wheelchair Selection: A User-Centred Approach.’ John Hitchens is now a Chief Investigator on this consumer-driven project. It will bring together motorised wheelchair users, health professionals, and researchers to co-design a prototype virtual reality application to help wheelchair users make informed decisions about the best wheelchair to suit their needs.
Join John Hitchens (Chief Investigator - Consumer) as we co-design a virtual reality simulator to test drive motorised wheelchairs.
Who can participate?
- Motorised wheelchair users with an acquired brain injury or spinal cord injury.
- You must be over 18 to participate.
What is involved?
- You will take part in 2-hour, in-person collaborative workshop in Brisbane.
- We will discuss your:
- experiences of virtual reality
- experiences of wheelchair selection and training
- thoughts and opinions about a virtual reality application for wheelchair selection.
Benefits of participating
Volunteers will be reimbursed for their time.
Register your interest
For more information or to register your interest:
Email johnjameshitchens@hotmail.com
Email robert.cuthbert@uq.edu.au
This study has been approved by The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee [Approval No. 2024/HE001503].
Health consumers with a lived experience of motorised wheelchair use generated this project idea to address a problem they have personally encountered. The project aims to continue this user-centred approach by:
- Working with motorised wheelchair users and other stakeholders to understand their needs regarding wheelchair selection and training.
- Including wheelchair users and their support networks in co-designing a VR application for motorised wheelchair selection and training.
- Building and testing a prototype VR application for motorised wheelchair selection and training.
Co-design process
This project will be one of the first studies to include wheelchair users and their support network in the design of a VR selection and training application using co-design processes. This project will be broken down into three distinct phases.
- Qualitative design phase: Wheelchair users and health professionals will discuss their perceptions, needs, and experiences in relation to a VR wheelchair selection and training application.
- Development phase: Participants will take part in an iterative design process, regularly providing feedback on the application design and testing changes based on their feedback.
- Evaluation phase: Participants will evaluate the prototype VR application and assess whether it would have helped with decision-making when they selected a motorised wheelchair.
Co-design a virtual reality motorised wheelchair simulation with NIISQ PRG member John Hitchens
News - National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland (NIISQ), May 7, 2025
New research project: Virtual Reality Wheelchair simulation
News - National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland (NIISQ), September 25, 2024
Get involved
We're looking for motorised wheelchair users to participate in this project.
Contact us
Get in touch to learn more about our research:
- John Hitchens (Chief Investigator - Consumer and motorised wheelchair user)
johnjameshitchens@hotmail.com - Dr Robert Cuthbert (Chief Investigator)
robert.cuthbert@uq.edu.au