Brainstorming with UIC Students

Today 7 University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) students came to HWI office to gather information for the US trike feasibility study they are doing for us as a class project. I (Alice) thought they were Masters level students but today I learned they are all undergraduates completing their degree in kinesiology, the same degree I got from UIC back in 1990.

Our trike team spent 3 hours answering their questions, telling how our trike division evolved and when their brains were spinning from all the technical information I got to share my personal story and give God the glory. The energy, enthusiasm, excitement, and interest they had for the project was electrifying. 

 

Watching them try the trikes, hearing why they chose the project, sharing some good laughs and exchanging great ideas was all a plus.One student was a marathon runner. He said he would love to use one of our trikes to train for marathons, getting his upper body in shape. He took it for the longest ride. Kevin our engineer said, “I haven’t seen anyone burn rubber on the trike yet.” So this guy took it as a personal challenge and gave it his best effort. Afterwards Kevin said, “I saw rubber burning.”  My eyesight wasn’t quite that clear!

How is your eyesight?

When I left the joy in my heart bubbled over and out. Today God gave me much more than I could have ever imagined. My dream was to teach physical education and pursue my PhD in exercise physiology but my disability made that an impossibility.  

Trike to University of Illinois Chicago

Today our trike team of Kevin our engineer, Ken our trike coordinator and Alice our Executive Director went to University of Illinois Chicago and presented a US version of the trike to a class. Alice is an alumni of UIC. On Thursday the students choose what team they want to be part of. I believe there will be 2 trike teams with 5 students/team. They will do a feasibility study and present their findings in about 14 weeks. All 3 of us were encouraged and look forward to what God has planned.

Once again Kevin surprised us all with his amazing creativity. We are all grateful for the unique gifts that each of us bring to the team. Alice began the presentation by sharing the way HWI got started. Having had a class in the very same classroom she began her speech from that point. Then Ken, who has spent many years as a missionary kid and then a missionary in Africa explained the value of the trike. Kevin ended our time by debuting the new trike and talking about the features.

Thanks to all who prayed. Indeed God was glorified and we were encouraged. Only the Lord knows where this all will lead. We are glad He does.

New Trike Prototypes

Our amazing trike designer/engineer/president was hard at work this weekend. He has come up with a few new trike prototypes. 

In the photo below: Up on wheels is the completed frame for the experimental  DOTT "Ultra Compact" trike, to be tested this summer. In the right, foreground are some of the parts for the slightly larger experimental "Compact" version of the DOTT trike, waiting to be built. On the bench in the background is the partially built frame for a low, fast, seven speed version of the DOTT trike to be used to test some concepts and also advertise for HWI in local events and races.

Below: A rear view of the full size DOTT trike, seen on the left, as compared to the much smaller DOTT Ultra Compact, seen on the right.

Below: A view of the full size, second generation DOTT trike in the rear and the new and improved third generation DOTT trike, in the Ultra Compact size, in the foreground. All future third generation trikes, in all sizes, will have numerous small improvements which will strengthen the frame and reduce weight by several pounds. They will also have an available option for easily removable side supports for those who need them.

Below: For several years now HWI has had a "full size" adjustable hand pedaled trike design that can fit a wide range of people. However, we have come to recognize the advantage of having at least one smaller size, adjustable design to fit larger children thru small adults. As a part of our effort to try and define what the ideal dimensions would be for this smaller, second size, we are building two new prototypes this summer. For now they are being called the "Compact" and the

"Ultra Compact"  (or "Cutie") prototypes. They will be tested with a wide range of users to see which dimensions work best for this smaller size.

The partially completed trike shown in this picture, the first Ultra Compact  prototype, will spend a few months being tested in the States. Later this summer, this particular trike may end up going to the jungles of Peru for use by a young disabled girl.

The Ultra Compact DOTT prototype shown in the foreground is approx. 5 inches shorter, 2 inches lower and 1 inch narrower than the full size version in the background.

Cutie-Trike Prototype

Our engineer Kevin is working on 4 new trike prototypes. He just made a little one that has been nicknamed cuitie. Another one he's planning to do is a compact trike and one for racing in the US for marketing purposes. What fun it is to go into the shop. I can't believe God has allowed me to have a part in such a fun ministry with so many neat people.