An affordable and portable mechanical wheelchair lift that enables individuals with mobility impairments to safely ascend and descend any type of staircases.
ELEVA is an affordable and portable mechanical wheelchair lift that enables individuals with mobility impairments to safely ascend and descend staircases while remaining in their wheelchairs. The assistive platform and ratchet design for one user and one caregiver targets hard-to-reach, low-infrastructure environments and enables a dignified and more accessible option to support a user’s right to healthcare.
Maria is wheelchair bound and lives with her husband. Her only way to access her own home is through an inadequate staircase. Her situation is far from unique in many low-income communities across Brazil and the rest of the world.
Low-income communities in Brazil have steep topography and lack consistent electricity access. It can be dangerous for individuals with mobility impairments to move around, particularly when it comes to stairs.
Existing solutions range from unsafe to costly and infrastructure-reliant.
Image by Freepik
The ELEVA prototype made from wood, aluminum, and steel is composed of a slotted platform and heavy-duty ratchet mechanism. Back wheels and platform curvature facilitate easier movement up the first step. Locking and latching mechanisms are included to ensure safe transport of the user and wheelchair.
Learn more about the design of ELEVA
During the development of our project, we were fortunate to receive expert feedback from multiples individuals and organizations that played a vital role in helping us create a product that is functional, user-friendly, and meets the needs of our target audience. Their valuable input and guidance have been instrumental in shaping the design and functionality of our product, and we are grateful for their support. In this section of our website, we highlight the insights and feedback we received from these organizations, giving visitors an insight into the thought process that went into creating our final product.
Livia J. - Home Care Coordinator
Ivana S. - Physical Therapist
Ana - ER Manager
Mario M. - Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein - Physician
Matheus M. - Graduate Student in International Development
Acessibility expert and consultant
Joao Salles Leite is a Brazilian Mechanical Engineering student currently pursuing his studies at Columbia University. He is passionate about exploring the intersection between engineering and economics and how they can work together to create innovative solutions to real-world problems.
Felipe Couto is a mechanical engineering student at Columbia University originally from Brazil. Felipe is committed to applying his engineering background in developing sustainable technologies for a more equitable world, especially through renewable energy.
Katherine is a driven and talented Mechanical Engineering student at Columbia University. Outside of her academic pursuits, she is a black belt in Taekwondo, a testament to her discipline and focus. She is also an avid fan of European football and enjoys keeping up with the latest matches and tournaments.
Victor is also a Mechanical Engineering student and he is passionate about aerospace technologies, data science and embedded systems.
David is a Mechanical Engineering student with a keen interest in consumer electronics and computer science. He enjoys staying up to date with the latest developments in these fields and spends his free time tinkering with various gadgets and devices.
Explore Our Research & Literature for Insights on Public Health in Impoverished Urban Neighborhoods.
Are you interested in learning more about the research that has influenced our design project? We've compiled a list of some of the most insightful publications related to public health and urban settings, with a specific focus on impoverished neighborhoods (favelas) in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil. These publications cover a range of topics, such as the challenges to public health in favelas and the mobility of favela inhabitants based on mobile phone data. By exploring these studies, you'll gain a better understanding of the unique health issues faced by favela residents and how improving access to healthcare and transportation infrastructure can help reduce health disparities in urban areas. Click the "learn more" button to check out these influential and informative publications!
Read our report for more information