ADULT

COMPANION
BICYCLE

SITUATION ANALYSIS AND COMPETITIVE MARKET

ANALYSIS

PRESENTED BY

Sorab Sinha, Kamrul Alam Chaudhury, Sai Kumar Reddy,

Sweety Nikitha Koppala, Apneet Kaur, Sunil Singh, Anuj
Patel
ADULT COMPANION BICYCLE BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE
PRODUCT

The adult companion bicycle is a versatile and inclusive

product that caters to a wide range of users. It includes tandem
tricycles and bicycles where the companion can sit in the rear
position, allowing for a shared riding experience. These
products are beneficial for various groups, including
physically challenged individuals, elderly riders, resort rental
fleets, and caregivers. The benefits of adult companion
bicycles include the ability for riders of different sizes and
abilities to ride together at their own pace, improved balance,
coordination, and strength for special needs individuals, and
the opportunity for inclusive play.
Significance :

The project addresses challenges related to core strength, coordination, balance, endurance, and various
disabilities like Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Down syndrome, and more.

The number of people impacted by these issues is substantial and can significantly improve their quality of
life by providing an inclusive outdoor experience.

This highlights the social exclusion and recreational limitations.

This product is beneficial for various groups, including physically challenged individuals, elderly riders,
resort rental fleets, and caregivers.
Background of the Disability

Approximately 39 million Americans have motion impairment.

In the U.S., 1 in 7 adults, that is 13.7%, have difficulties getting around.

• Among children 6 and older, 4.4% need personal assistance.

• Among youth aged 15 or older 21% have a disability.

• Among adults aged 21 to 64, 17% have a disability.

• Among adults aged 65 or older, 50% have a disability.

PROBLEM

The primary issue this project aims to solve is how difficult it is for persons with disabilities to bike. Existing
adaptive bikes may not be suited for longer rides, while traditional bicycles are not ideal for individuals who lack the
physical strength and endurance necessary to ride them. This limitation not only limits their recreational options but
also makes it difficult for them to socialize with others and participate in outdoor activities with friends and family.

SOLUTION

An all-encompassing solution to this issue is provided by the Adult Companion Bicycle. It is specially made to give
those with impairments an inclusive bike experience. People with impairments can ride alongside their friends on
tandem bikes by using this equipment, which always worries about balance, coordination, and endurance. This novel
technique places more emphasis on a "ride-along" design that promotes social riding, allowing persons with
disabilities to enjoy biking in the company of others, in contrast to standard adaptive bikes now on the market.
Possible impact of Ault Companion Bicycle on improving comfort and social status

• Companion bicycles can boost physical benefits, such as increased joint motion, muscle
movement, circulation, core development, coordination, and balance, and for emotional gains.

• It helps the disabled person to cooperate with others in different activities and become social.

• It helps disabled people learn about controlling their impulses to do well at something and about
space, negotiating, and problem-solving.

• Adult Companion Bicycle will promote equal opportunity, full participation, independent living,
and independent self-sufficiency with disabilities.
CURRENTLY
AVAILABLE
MOBILITY
AIDS IN
MARKET
Competitive Overview:

1. Schwinn:
1. Strengths: Established brand, diverse product range.
2. Weaknesses: May have higher pricing.

2. Raleigh:
1. Strengths: Long-standing history, quality manufacturing.
2. Weaknesses: Limited innovation compared to newer entrants.

3. Trek:
1. Strengths: Innovative designs, strong distribution.
2. Weaknesses: Premium pricing.

4. Giant:
1. Strengths: Global presence, cost-effective manufacturing.
2. Weaknesses: Brand perception may not be as premium.

5. Cannondale:
1. Strengths: Known for performance, and cutting-edge technology.
2. Weaknesses: Higher price points.
 Threat of New Entry: Threat of Buyer Power:
•Low: High initial New •Moderate: Buyers
Entry
capital, established have options, but brand
brands dominate. loyalty exists.

Comp. Rivalry:
Supplier Competitive •High: Intense Buyer
Power Rivalry competition among Power
established brands.

Supplier Power:
•Low to Moderate: Threat of Threat of Substitution:
Many suppliers for Substitution Low: Unique
components, but some features of adult
specialized parts may companion bicycles
have limited options. reduce the threat.
 PESTLE

POLITICA ECONOMICA ENVIROMENTA

SOCIO-CULTURAL TECHNOLOGICAL LEGAL
L L L
EPAMDs are legally
In 2003,national Adversities facing people Electric scooters and smart allowed to be operated During COVID-19 disabled
The executive disability with disabilities include wheelchairs enable easy people suffered the most due
order signed by on sidewalks and
associated health barriers to meeting daily navigation in urban roadways in PA, unless to unavailability of transport
President Biden care expenditures needs and to social life, environments. facilities, proper medical care
prohibited by local
sets a path for the (DAHE) were $398 unemployment, dependency, .Home-quarantine has led to
ordinance [Pennsylvania
federal billion. DAHE in frustration, anxiety, Exoskeletons provide powered Vehicle Code, lack of care takers for them
government to 2015 were $868 depression. assistance, allowing people with Section 3703(c)] .
increase billion representing mobility impairments to walk People with mobility issues
opportunities for 36% of total Sophisticated and costly and engage in various activities The New Assistive are more likely to get injured
advancement and national health care technological support Technology Act took during climate emergency ,
spending (up from services to help the impaired wheelchair-accessible vehicles which again necessitates need
hiring, and reduce effect in June 2023 and
27% in 2003). people live a normal day to and ride-sharing services, have supports individuals for mobility aiding devices .
physical
day life . Also there is stigma transformed the way individuals with disabilities in
accessibility Medicare paid the related to adapting unknown with disabilities travel. Self-regulated mobility
barriers. getting access to
largest portion new technology by the assistive technology devices maybe less helpful
($324.7 billion), disabled people . Smart home technology has devices and services. for people with disability
Disability and Medicaid DAHE emerged as a game-changer for living in mountain and hilly
inclusive were $277.2 billion. Lack of access to convenient individuals with disabilities, Accessible areas, and uneven terrain .
democracy year More than half transportation for people who promoting independent living Transportation for
of action was (54%) of all are not able to drive because of and convenience. Voice- Persons with
launched. Medicare vision or cognitive activated assistants, like Disabilities Regulations
expenditures and impairments.Public Amazon’s Alexa or Google (ATPDR) facilitates
72% of all Medicaid transportation may be Assistant, can control various
Committing to transport of mobility
expenditures were unavailable or at inconvenient devices and perform tasks assistive devices in all
inclusive
associated with distances or locations. through voice commands. federal-regulated
disability policy . disability. transportation
 POLITICAL

Expanding Access and Inclusion for Disabled Americans: The Biden-Harris Administration has
taken significant steps to achieve a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable country for people with
disabilities, including people with disabilities that experience multiple forms of discrimination and bias on
the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation and other factors.
CMS hosted the second of two webinars for states, associations, and other stakeholders to explore
lessons learned during the COVID-19 public health emergency to discuss the use of technology in
supporting reintegration into the community for people with disabilities leveraging in-person services and
home and community-based services (HCBS). This second webinar addressed critical considerations for
states as they explore incorporating technology into state HCBS waivers.

Developing Inclusive International Health Systems: In early 2021, the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) launched Learning, Acting, and Building for Rehabilitation in Health
Systems (ReLAB-HS). This global project will support the development of health systems to respond to
populations’ growing needs for rehabilitation. Through this project, USAID will co-design and implement
innovative, comprehensive, cost-effective interventions that strengthen health systems to provide
rehabilitation services, including assistive technology.
 ECONOMICAL

In 2003, national disability–associated health care expenditures (DAHE) were $398 billion. Updated
estimates will improve our understanding of current DAHE.

DAHE in 2015 were $868 billion (at 2017 prices), representing 36% of total national health care
spending (up from 27% in 2003). DAHE per person with disability increased from $13,395 in 2003 to
$17,431 in 2015, whereas nondisability per-person spending remained constant (about $6700). Public
insurers paid 69% of DAHE.

Medicare paid the largest portion ($324.7 billion), and Medicaid DAHE were $277.2 billion. More
than half (54%) of all Medicare expenditures and 72% of all Medicaid expenditures were associated with
disability.

The total national disability-associated health care expenditures (DAHE) were estimated to be $398
billion in 2003 (expressed in 2006 prices), representing 27% of national health spending. More than two
thirds of DAHE were paid by public payers.
 SOCIO-CULTURAL

Adversities facing people with disabilities include barriers to meeting daily needs and to social
life, unemployment, dependency, frustration, anxiety, depression.

Sophisticated and costly technological support services to help the impaired people live a
normal day to day life . Also there is stigma related to adapting unknown new technology by the
disabled people especially among older people who are the majority of disabled populations.

Lack of access to convenient transportation for people who are not able to drive because of vision
or cognitive impairments. Public transportation may be unavailable or at inconvenient distances or
locations.

Social pressures and perceived stigma deter mobility aid use. Greater physician involvement,
positive peer models and affordable, safe, visually appealing devices would promote greater
acceptance of mobility aids.
 TECHNOLOGICAL

Electric scooters and smart wheelchairs enable easy navigation in urban environments.

Exoskeletons provide powered assistance, allowing people with mobility impairments to walk and engage in
various activities .

Furthermore, advancements in accessible transportation, such as wheelchair-accessible vehicles and ride-

sharing services, have transformed the way individuals with disabilities travel.

Smart home technology has emerged as a game-changer for individuals with disabilities, promoting
independent living and convenience. Voice-activated assistants, like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant, can
control various devices and perform tasks through voice commands.

Robotic prosthetics and exoskeletons assist with mobility and rehabilitation, restoring independence and
enhancing the quality of life.

Ride-sharing apps with accessibility features, like Uber and Lyft, provide convenient and accessible
transportation options. Real-time transit information apps and navigation aids assist individuals in planning
accessible routes and using public transportation effectively.
 LEGAL

Under the new ADA rules, covered entities must allow people with disabilities who use wheelchairs
(including manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and electric scooters) and manually-powered mobility aids
such as walkers, crutches, canes, braces, and other similar devices into all areas of a facility where members of the
public are allowed to go.

The U.S. Congress passed the 21st Century Assistive Technology Act (AT Act) with bipartisan support. The
new law took effect in June 2023 and supports individuals with disabilities in learning about and getting access to
assistive technology devices and services.

Segway® Human Transporters are the only devices that qualify as electric personal assistive mobility
devices (EPAMDs). EPAMDs are legally allowed to be operated on sidewalks and roadways in PA, unless
prohibited by local ordinance [Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, Section 3703(c)]. However, EPAMDs are prohibited
on freeways (Section 3583). The Segway® is classified as a vehicle, but not a motor vehicle.

Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR) facilitates transport of mobility
assistive devices in all federal-regulated transportation . This encourages a design plan for portable mobility
devices.
 ENVIROMENTAL

During COVID-19 disabled people suffered the most due to unavailability of transport facilities, proper
medical care .Home-quarantine has led to lack of care takers for them .

People with mobility issues are more likely to get injured during climate emergency , which again necessitates
need for mobility aiding devices .

Self-regulated mobility devices maybe less helpful for people with disability living in mountain and hilly areas,
and uneven terrain .

Battery and fuel-cell electric mobility devices are responsible for greenhouse gas omissions. With market
ramp-up of electric mobility the raw material’s prices will also increase.

As extraction of raw materials can never be completely sustainable, the inherent risks must be minimised.
There are several legally binding standards (e.g. EU legislation on conflict minerals) and various voluntary
sustainability standards within international normative frameworks and principle.
References :

1. House, White. “Fact Sheet: Advancing Disability Inclusive Democracy in the United States and Globally.” The White House, 2 Mar. 2022,
www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/12/03/fact-sheet-advancing-disability-inclusive-democracy-in-the-united-states-an
d-globally/?utm_source=link
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2. Khavjou OA, Anderson WL, Honeycutt AA, Bates LG, Razzaghi H, Hollis ND, Grosse SD. National Health Care Expenditures Associated With
disability. Med Care. 2020 Sep;58(9):826-832. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000001371. PMID: 32826747; PMCID: PMC7505687.

3. Perez, Mikel. “Technology and Disability: Enhancing Lives and Breaking Barriers.” SMOWL Proctoring | Supervision System for Online Exams,

25 Oct. 2023, smowl.net/en/blog/technology-and- disability/#:~:text=Technological%20Advancements%20in%20Mobility

%20Aids&text=Electric%20scooters%20and%20smart%20wheelchairs,way%20individuals%20with%20disabilities%20travel.

4. Carlos Martin, Andrew Macdonald, March 11, 2020, Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations – an overview, WeirFoulds
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