THE PROBLEM
Today’s wheelchairs are often bulky, costly, and poorly suited for varied terrain.
They lack essential features that enable a seamless, user-friendly experience.
Step 1: Foundational Research
Status: Completed
Conducted in-depth research into the history of wheelchair development, key design milestones, and material innovations
Analyzed how wheelchairs are made and the functional components involved
Researched global market trends, focusing on countries with limited access and diverse user needs
Step 2: Define Functional Requirements
Status: Completed
Identified and categorized essential, optional, and non-essential wheelchair components
Developed a requirements framework balancing portability, comfort, safety, and cost-efficiency
Prioritized features based on specific user groups, environments, and levels of mobility
Step 3: Survey Development
Status: Completed
Designed a clear, inclusive, and engaging survey tailored for a wide range of wheelchair users
Ensured the questions captured functional needs, comfort preferences, and design expectations
Focused on accessibility of language and format for universal participation
Step 4: Stakeholder and Industry Outreach
Status: Completed
Identified key organizations in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors, including hospitals and wheelchair producers
Distributed the survey to target respondents across multiple segments of the mobility ecosystem
Initiated early engagement with potential collaborators and experts
Step 5: Data Collection and Analysis
Monitor incoming survey responses and ensure a diverse set of user perspectives
Analyze data to extract actionable insights that will directly inform design decisions
Step 6: Design Development
Begin concept sketching and digital modeling based on real user feedback
Focus on terrain adaptability, compactness, durability, and user experience
Step 7: Prototype Creation
Build and test early-stage prototypes using lightweight, eco-conscious materials
Evaluate functionality, comfort, and ease of use through iterative testing
Step 8: Stakeholder Engagement and Funding
Prepare and deliver a compelling pitch to potential investors, partners, and granting bodies
Secure funding to support full-scale development, testing, and distribution
Completed Steps in the Wheelchair Development
Next Steps in the Wheelchair Development
User Personas
THE SOLUTION
Elders & Retirement
Sports Injuries
Short-term Users
Diseases & Paralysis
Project Manager, Prototype Designer, Market Research & Analysis, User Surveys, Presentation Pitches.
Tools | GANTT charts, Excel, Miro, Surveys, Powerpoint
TESORO is a design, research and development project focused on remaking the modern wheelchair. By combining user-centered research, global market analysis, and real-world feedback, the project aims to develop a portable, affordable, and terrain-adaptable wheelchair that meets the diverse needs of users worldwide. TESORO sets the foundation for a new generation of mobility that prioritizes comfort, independence, and sustainability.
Alongside Sean Adams and the owner Rishma Nathoo.
TESORO WHEELCHAIR DEVELOPMENT
OVERVIEW
2025 Internship Project
Date
My Role
To design a wheelchair that truly meets users where they are, we created a targeted survey for people who use, recommend, or assist with wheelchairs. The survey gathers insights on comfort, usability, terrain adaptability, and daily challenges across different age groups and lifestyles. This data is essential to shaping a solution that is practical, inclusive, and future-ready.
TESORO partners with organizations navigating transformation—whether through technology shifts, M&A, or structural change. We drive sustainable, progressive growth by rethinking governance, organizational design, and operational effectiveness. With deep cross-sector and cross-industry experience, we craft strategy, guide its operationalization, and provide managed services to ensure seamless execution. We offer strategy and discovery work to help organizations determine if and where they want to engage in sustainability and SDGs as a strategic priority. Our expertise ensures organizations are resilient, high-performing, and positioned for lasting impact.
Understand Real User Needs Through Research
SURVEY
THANK YOU!
Take a look at my other case studies.
My Projects