Samuel Skelcher-Maxwell profile photo
As an industrial designer, I have spent my final year at Loughborough developing the Travel Chair, responding to the poor state of accessible air travel. Driven by human-centred design, I am eager to keep learning and develop purposeful, inclusive products.

The Travel Chair restores dignity to air travel for wheelchair users. One chair for every stage of the journey, from airport to aisle to lavatory to landing.

Cabin Chair Form

The Travel Chair transforms into an aisle chair and cabin seat without requiring the user to transfer. It also supports independent self-transfer into the cabin seat when preferred. Time: Less than 2 minutes for users with advanced support needs.

Manual Wheel Chair Form

The Travel Chair transforms into a standard wheelchair without requiring the user to transfer. Drive Wheels are quick to attach and remove, and pack down into a compact unit that can be stored near check-in. Time: Less than 5 minutes for users with advanced support needs.

Lavatory Chair Form

The Travel Chair also transforms into a lavatory chair without requiring the user to transfer. It’s adaptable design also supports independent self-transfer. Time: Less than 2 minutes for users with advanced support needs. (set up time)

Folded Form

The Travel Chair folds compactly for overhead storage when not needed during flight. Its space-efficient design simplifies transport and delivery, reducing storage demands, operational costs, and environmental impact.

Details

The Travel Chair combines quick-attach drive wheels, a removable sling system and carefully considered human-factor features to support safer, more dignified air travel.

Eco-conscious design: lightweight construction, recycled materials, product passports and visible eco communication to support sustainable airline marketing.

Other Projects – Final Year