Industrial - Bachelors

AV Door Lift

The Door Lift takes the benefits from a wheelchair lift instead implemented in a small form factor to remove the effort in boarding a vehicle for people with disabilities (PwDs). The design achieves this by lifting the platform using the two door panels to conceal four linear actuators (two per door) that lift the large platform.

Tristan Smitka

Purpose

Autonomous vehicles have the potential to make transit more accessible
for everyone. However, for people with disabilities, this promise is only
fulfilled when they can board with ease.

The Door Lift addresses this challenge directly, eliminating the effort,
confusion, and inconsistency often faced with current boarding systems.

VEHICLE PLUG DOORS

The doors in most cases open as expected of for AVs by sliding, although a disconnecting latch system is employed on the panels and windows to seperate doors into a fold out position.

Platform Features

BOARDING THE PLATFORM

Platform boarding is initiated with a short ramp which deploys in place as platform is lowered to the ground.

DOOR & PLATFORM PLUGs

Platform connects to the linear actuator ends via plugs within the platforms framing.

Safety Barriers

When the platform has fully risen, a latch pulls down the front barrier, securing it in place. As the platform elevates, the front ramp rotates, transforming into a barrier for added safety during ascent.

LINEAR ACTUATOR POWERED ASCENT

Linear actuators are concealed inside the door panels as the core lifting method powering the platform.

QUAD ACTUATOR SYSTEM

Two actuators are positioned on each door panel, allowing them to independently adjust height and modify the platform’s angle and elevation to adapt to the environment. These actuators are connected to the AV’s lidar sensors, which analyse the terrain to determine the most suitable positioning for safe and accessible boarding.

PLATFORM OPERATION

The external buttons offer the ability to open door via sliding method, or deploy platform for people with disabilities. Braille text is placed on the surface of the buttons.

EXTERIOR INTERFACE

The external buttons offer the ability to open door via sliding method, or deploy platform for people with disabilities.
Interior platform controls are placed on the right side door panel when facing the vehicle from the outside. Braille text is placed on the surface of the buttons.

INTERIOR INTERFACE

Interior platform controls are placed on the right side door panel when facing the vehicle from the outside.

USER ACCESSIBILITY

The platform layout aids visually impaired users by incorporating Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSI) on the platform’s base for directional guidance, along with spoken audio instructions from the vehicle that inform users of its actions and guide them on how to safely use the ramp.

VISUALLY IMPAIRED USERS

The platform layout aids visually impaired users by incorporating Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSI) on the platform’s base for directional guidance, along with spoken audio instructions from the vehicle that inform users of its actions and guide them on how to safely use the ramp.
The platform benefits wheelchair and mobility-impaired users by providing a spacious layout with gripped surfaces for stability while also eliminating the need to ascend large, steep slopes, allowing for a smoother and safer boarding experience.

WHEELCHAIR/MOBILITY IMPAIRED USERS

The platform benefits wheelchair and mobility-impaired users by providing a spacious layout with gripped surfaces for stability while also eliminating the need to ascend large, steep slopes, allowing for a smoother and safer boarding experience.

Tristan Smitka

As an industrial designer Tristan Smitka combines creativity and technical skill to craft innovative, visually appealing products intended to enhance people’s lives. With skills in ideation, SolidWorks CAD, and rendering, Tristan brings a positive, can-do attitude to transform abstract concepts into functional, aesthetically pleasing designs.