The Platypus

Accessible Watercraft System

Team Project | 7 Weeks | 2020

Team Members: Damian Noviello, Emily Boehmer, Brad Stevens, Duncan McGlinchey

All CAD models and renders by Damian Noviello

Brief

The project entailed creating a kayak launching system for users with spinal cord injuries or other mobility impairments meaning they require assistance to partake in the activity. The launcher would be implemented in Seqwater sites across Queensland.

Process

This project consisted of working with real clients from Seqwater and Spinal Life Australia. Constant consultation with Spinal Life Australia was done throughout the project to understand the user needs and to communicate, validate, and improve the team’s designs and ideas. Each group member undertook a particular role within the group. My role was manufacturing which consisted of researching the best materials for the product, manufacturing methods, cost estimates, and producing the CAD models and technical drawings.

Ramp concept development by Damian Noviello

Transfer bench concept development by Damian Noviello

Peg concept development by Damian Noviello

Concept sketches by Emily Boehmer

Concept 1 presented to clients. Illustration by Emily Boehmer

Design

The Platypus is a modular accessible kayak launcher that is designed to enable people with spinal cord injuries to independently participate in kayaking. The key design feature of The Platypus is a terraced shaped transfer seat with a reversible backrest to enable entering and exiting a kayak with ease. The launcher also features overhead handles for users to pull themselves across the transfer seat, modular ramp segments that will conform to the surrounding terrain, removable pegs to allow users to pull themselves along the ramp, and a small hoist as an additional kayak entry and exit option. Our group received special mention for our design especially for our well thought transfer seat.

The Platypus - accessible kayak launcher

Transfer seat with reversible back rest

Transfer seat is mirrored on both sides for assistance in entering and exiting a kayak

The Platypus in context at a Seqwater site

Modular and adjustable ram segments

Removable pegs for moving along the ramp

Overhead handles to assist in moving along the transfer seat

Easy transfer of kayak onto the launching ramp

Assistive hoist and safety rails

Sequence of use by Emily Boehmer

I was responsible for producing all of the CAD modelling, renders, and technical drawings in this project and a sample of the technical drawings made can be seen below.

Software

Programs used were Autodesk Fusion 360 and the Adobe Suite.

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