Role

Mechanical Engineer, full ownership of the scissor lift and platform subsystem

Team Members

Isabella Correa, Joseph Garcia, Chloe Ha, Khandaker Aqib

Responsibilities

User research, hardware design, CAD & FEA analysis, prototyping, mechatronics design and electrical integration

Skills

CAD, FEA, prototyping (3D printing/laser cutting), Arduino control, user-centered design

Challenge

  • Millions of individuals with mobility impairments face barriers to independent vehicle access
  • Existing solutions (ramps, aftermarket lifts) are costly, bulky, and hard to integrate into production vehicles
  • The Volkswagen ID Buzz has a battery pack in the car floor, limiting available integration space
  • Goal: Design a factory-integrated, ADA-compliant wheelchair entry system for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, enabling independent deployment without compromising aesthetics, car functionality, or safety

User Interview
User interview to understand and test current market solutions

Action

  • Designed an automated 0º-90º-0º folding scissor lift platform integrated into the car door

Theory of Operation
Theory of operation for the wheelchair lift

  • Platform & Scissor Lift Subsystem: Designed a scissor lift system driven by a button-controlled motorized lead screw
    • Experimentally determined input torque requirement (20.6 Nm at 315 lbs load) to scope a 30 Nm right angle gearbox and motor system.
    • Conducted calculations validated with FEA to select a 0.19’’ thick Aluminum 6061 platform to minimize weight and deflection (less than 3 degrees).
    • Dimensions are fully ADA-compliant at 50% scale

Scissor Lift and Platform
Scissor lift deploys from below the platform through a motorized lead screw mechanism

  • Platform Stowing Subsystem: Two linear actuators drive the 0º-90º-0º folding and unfolding motion of the platform
    • Prototyped door-to-platform connection through experimental testing to design a laser-cut steel tab, PLA wedge, and iron L-bracket assembly
    • Linear actuators hold the platform at the “levitated” 90º open position

Platform Stowing
Platform unfolds and folds from 0º to 90º to 0º

  • Engineering Validation:
    • Conducted FEA for stress, deflection, and factor of safety across components.
    • Performed FMEA to identify and mitigate failure risks.
    • Built and tested a 50% scale prototype mounted on a wooden vehicle frame.

Result

  • Built fully operational automated lift supporting 300+ lbs and adhering completely to strict ADA requirements at 50% scale


Demonstration of a person using the wheelchair lift

  • Demonstrated feasibility of a factory-integrated and modular accessibility solution for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz.
  • Future Work:
    • Reinforce custom parts with higher-grade materials
    • Integrate automatic door-opening and safety barriers
    • Full-scale testing under real-world loading and durability conditions
  • For more information about the project, read our full report here: Stanford Libraries Archive