ElectroGlide: making wheelchair mobility more accessible
Designed by Chicago-based studio Ono Ideas through a participatory research process, this motorised device promotes independence and more inclusive mobility, helping wheelchair users move around with greater ease.
When it comes to wheelchairs, there are several issues affecting the end user that need to be considered: weight and cost, which can increase significantly depending on the model, whether manual or electric, and the need to rely on physical strength or a control system to move around. Following participatory research, Chicago-based studio Ono Ideas introduced ElectroGlide, a motorised electric device that can be attached to commercially available wheelchairs.
Interviews with people who actively use wheelchairs revealed that “The product should become an extension of the user’s body,” as assistive devices are not simply tools, but integrated extensions of the individual on a physical, cognitive and emotional level. In 2025, ElectroGlide received several international recognitions, including the iF Design Student Award and the Red Dot Award: Design Concept and Next Gen Award, which recognised the project for its approach to assisted mobility and inclusive design.
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ElectroGlide wheelchair:
Putting users’ needs first
The design process began with interviews and a questionnaire, through which the studio translated first-hand experiences into four design priorities: a product that is remote-free, lightweight, universal and compact. The first requirement translates into a device that responds to the user’s push without the need for a separate controller: assistance is activated only when the person pushes, while a dedicated app allows them to adjust the ratio between their own effort and the assistance provided.
To ensure lightness and versatility, ElectroGlide offers two configurations: one integrated into the frame and an independent modular unit, allowing the device to adapt easily to different mobility needs and contexts. Its simple structure is designed to fit securely onto any commercially available model.
Further recognition of the contribution this product could make came from the iF Design Award, which selected ElectroGlide among the top 70 out of more than 7,000 entries. The jury’s assessment reads: “A motorized, electric attachment for wheelchairs that can provide dynamic auxiliary force according to user input. It helps the user to power through times of injury, sickness, and other conditions that may affect their ability to push. Its adaptability and portability allow quick installation of ElectroGlide on various wheelchairs. Its assisted power compensates for pushing force, helping users stay active and independent while enjoying a ‘helping hand’.”
The design
From an aesthetic perspective, the product is compact and streamlined. Built around a Y-shaped frame, its three connecting tubes link the wheelchair’s wheels to the device at the rear of the seat. The motorised modules are then attached to this structure and act on the wheels to assist movement. Ono Ideas has created a device with a minimalist design that is also flexible and easy to use, helping provide greater autonomy and independence to wheelchair users.
As the Red Dot Award jury explains: “ElectroGlide provides intelligent power assistance that empowers the user’s independence. Whether tackling long distances, recovering from fatigue, or navigating challenging terrain, ElectroGlide provides smooth, on-demand support without taking away the benefits of self-propulsion. With smart torque control, dual-mode adaptability, and a lightweight design, ElectroGlide seamlessly integrates power and freedom, allowing users to feel fully in control of their mobility experience.”
Similar to the assistance provided by an electric bicycle, this new product by Ono Ideas introduces a new way of thinking about inclusive mobility and demonstrates the potential of Design for All (or Universal Design), a field in which designers still have much to contribute. At present, the product remains a concept, and there are no updates yet regarding its commercialisation.
